Braves 5, Phillies 4 (10 Innings)

Martin Prado can't do much more than what he did tonight to earn a starting spot. Prado drove in four of the five runs, including the game-winner in the 10th, to lead the Braves to a 5-4 win.

The scoring was back and forth the entire way. The Phillies got it going in the third on an RBI double by Ryan Howard, though the Braves were saved a run by it being a ground rule double. Prado drove in his first run in the home half to tie it. After Chase Utley homered in the fifth to take the lead back, the Braves answered right back in the home half with two runs on a solo homer by Prado and a groundout by Jeff Francoeur that brought home the go-ahead run.

The Braves held a 3-2 lead until the eighth, when Mike Gonzalez served up back-to-back solo homers to John Mayberry and Pedro Feliz, giving the Phillies a 4-3 lead. But again, the Braves answered in the home half with an RBI double by Prado that tied it at four.

The game remained tied through nine and the top of the 10th, but the Braves struck in the bottom of the 10th, and it was Prado again. After a Matt Diaz single and Gregor Blanco double left two in scoring position with one out, Prado lined one over Mayberry's head in left to bring home the winning run.

Derek Lowe: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Mike Gonzalez: BSV (4), 1 IP, 2 ER
Rafael Soriano: 1 IP, K
Boone Logan: 0.1 IP, H
Peter Moylan: W (2-2), 0.2 IP

Lowe started off shaky but was able to pitch around trouble early, and settled down to last six innings. He walked three but only allowed two runs, a much improved line for him. Gonzalez did not fare as well, giving up consecutive home runs and blowing a lead in the eighth. Soriano pitched a perfect ninth as usual. Logan gave up a hit and got one out in the 10th, and Moylan backed him by inducing the double play on a great play by Chipper Jones.

Martin Prado: 4-5, HR, 4 RBI
Gregor Blanco: 3-5, 2 R
Jeff Francoeur: 2-5, RBI

Prado earned his keep tonight, driving in four of the five runs on four hits, including a home run. Much of this was due to Blanco, who reached base four times and scored twice. The tandem really isn't that bad at the top of the lineup. I wouldn't mind seeing McLouth in right field and hitting fifth. I'll probably get shot for saying that though.

Notable Phillies:
Chasey Utley: 2-5, HR
Pedro Feliz: 3-3, HR

Notable Stat:
Lowe's WHIP: 1.40

Why Jeff Francoeur Sucks:
He wears turkey underwear and tells people.

Next Game:
7/1: Phillies, 7:00 (Cole Hamels vs. Jair Jurrjens)

I've heard word that Yunel Escobar could possibly be out of Atlanta soon. The AJC reported that Escobar sat out this weekend due to his hip flexor, but it's obvious the incident involving the scorekeeper is what kept him out. He also sat himself out tonight, which is rare for any player regardless of injury. His immature ways may have finally worn on the Braves enough to trade him, but I never thought it would come to that.

All I have to say is if the Braves do eventually trade him, they better not just dump him because of the attitude. They better get something worthwhile in return because Escobar is a talent that will emerge into elite status for the NL.