ATLANTA -- Kris Medlen has more proof hes returning to his 2012 form, and the evidence -- a win over the Phillies -- is especially encouraging. The right-hander continued his late-season surge by winning his fourth straight start, Chris Johnson hit a two-run home run and the Atlanta Braves beat Philadelphia 3-1 Tuesday night. Entering the game, Medlen had a 5.85 ERA in his career against the Phillies. "To hold them to one run to me is an accomplishment because throughout my career Ive had trouble against them," Medlen said. "Whoever has been in a Phillies uniform, Ive had trouble with them." Medlen, who was 10-1 with a 1.57 ERA in 2012, including a 9-0 mark as a starter, lost five of his first six decisions this year. Medlen (10-10), who appeared to be in danger of being sent to the bullpen one month ago, evened his record for the first time since he was 1-1. The right-handers recovery has come at the perfect time for the Braves. In late July, Tim Hudson was lost for the season with a broken right ankle and Paul Maholm went on the 15-day DL with a bruised left wrist. "Hes been awesome," Johnson said. "Every one of these guys, ever since Huddy went down, it seems like every time they go out there its like theyre trying to prove something. Theyre doing an amazing job and were winning because of them." Though Maholm may be only one minor league rehab start away from coming off the disabled list, Medlens spot in the rotation appears more secure. He left after walking Erik Kratz to open the eighth, getting a standing ovation after allowing one run on five hits in seven innings. After David Carpenter pitched a perfect eighth and Craig Kimbrel earned his 37th save by recording the final three outs. Chase Utley had three hits for Philadelphia, including a one-out single off Kimbrel in the ninth. Kimbrel struck out Domonic Brown and ended the game on Darin Rufs popup to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Johnson gave Atlanta a 3-0 lead in the third inning with his homer off rookie Ethan Martin (1-2). Johnson leads the National League with his .337 batting average. Martin, a right-hander who lives in Toccoa, Ga., northeast of Atlanta, grew up cheering for the Braves. He needed Mondays opening game of the series to adjust to the idea of being a visiting player at Turner Field. "Yesterday, it was actually kind of weird being on the field and not in the stands after all the years Ive been to the games," Martin said. "It was kind of fun yesterday, sitting in the dugout and doing different things. Today was pretty fun, also." Martin lost to Medlen and the Braves for the second time in only three major league starts. Martin took a 6-4 loss to the Braves in his debut on Aug. 2 and allowed three runs on six hits and two walks in five innings Tuesday night. He had six strikeouts. "I thought I was going to be a lot more amped up, have butterflies," Martin said. "It wasnt that bad, actually. I was kind of surprised." Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he liked the way Martin competed. "Martin battled them," Manuel said. "He stayed in there with them. He was aggressive, he went right at em, stuff like that. "He threw a lot of fastballs and Johnson finally timed one of them and that really hurt him." The Braves took the lead in the second. Tyler Pastornicky, recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett earlier in the day when Dan Uggla was placed on the 15-day disabled list, led off with a single and scored on Medlens two-out double over Ruf in right field. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Pastornicky will start at second base while Uggla misses at least two weeks to have Lasik eye surgery. Johnsons homer in the third drove in Justin Upton, who doubled. Ruf, sprinting toward the infield, made a diving catch of Medlens shallow pop fly in the seventh. Braves centre fielder Jordan Schafer ran in to make a tumbling catch of pinch-hitter Kevin Frandsens sinking liner in the eighth. There was a moment of silence before the game in honour of Braves fan Ronald Lee Homer Jr. of Conyers, Ga., who died after falling 85 feet from the stadium to a parking lot during Monday nights game. Players from both teams bowed their heads as Homers picture was shown on the video board. Atlanta police are investigating Homers death. NOTES: Maholm will make a minor league rehab start with Class A Rome on Saturday. He has been out since July 21 with a bruised left wrist. ... Phillies RHP Roy Halladay (right shoulder inflammation) will pitch in a minor league rehab game on Thursday in Clearwater, Fla., for the Gulf Coast Phillies. ... Braves RHP Brandon Beachy will make his fourth start in his return from Tommy John surgery when he faces Phillies LHP John Lannan on Wednesday night.
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Jeff Bagwell Astros Jersey . In the last race before the Sochi Olympics, Bjoergen followed up her win in the 10-kilometre classical race on Saturday by beating World Cup sprint leader Denise Herrmann of Germany by 0.43 seconds for her fifth victory of the season.PARIS -- Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho called his teams defending "a joke" after Paris Saint-Germain scored deep into injury time Wednesday to take a commanding 3-1 lead into their Champions League quarterfinal return leg next week. A second straight defeat has turned the pressure back on Mourinhos Chelsea side, with big-spending PSG now favoured to reach the last four in the European Cup for the first time since 1995 and Liverpool grabbing the impetus in the Premier League. "When the games are tight and when you make the defensive mistakes, you are in trouble," Mourinho said. "We couldnt transform these half chances into goals and on top of that we made defensive mistakes, the kind of individual defensive mistakes, and we paid the price." PSG substitute Javier Pastore capped the win with a brilliant goal in stoppage time. The Argentina playmaker gathered the ball on the right wing, cut inside and then jinked his way through the penalty area before planting a low shot inside goalkeeper Petr Cechs near post. "It was a horrible time to concede," centre half Gary Cahill told British broadcaster Sky Sports. "Its a sloppy goal and unlike us. It was difficult to come here; 2-1 would have been okay to take to Stamford Bridge. Its devastating." Mourinho was more scathing. "He (Cahill) says sloppy. I say ridiculous," later adding. "Its not a goal, its a joke." He also criticized his forwards, with neither Andre Schuerrle or his replacement, Fernando Torres, making any impression in the absence of the injured Samuel Etoo. "Its difficult for us to score goals," Mourinho said. "Im not happy with my strikers performances and I have to try things (for the return leg)." Chelsea did well to contain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, PSGs top scorer with more than 40 goals this season. But Jose Mourinhos team was undone by lapses from captain John Terry and midfielder David Luiz, who gave the ball away leading up to the opening goal. It came after only four minutes when Ezequiel Lavezzi twisted to sweep the ball home after Terrys poor headed clearance. Eden Hazard equalized from the penalty spot midway through the first half, only for PSG to take the lead again in the 61st as Luiz shinned the ball into his own net. Chelsea won the competition two years ago, although Mourinho was not in charge, getting past Napoli despite losing their quarterfinal first leg 3--1.dddddddddddd. "I have nothing to lose now, I have to play thinking that it is possible," Mourinho said. "To be fair, I dont think Paris think that its done." PSG coach Laurent Blanc was full of praise for his players. "We really believed we could do it tonight, and we pushed Chelsea around at times," he said. "The third goal changes things. We cant say tonight how much it changes things. The match at Stamford Bridge will be difficult." There was some bad news on the night for PSG, however, with Ibrahimovic limping off midway through the second half with a hamstring injury. "He will probably be out for a while," Blanc said. "I hope hell be back as soon as possible." In Wednesdays other quarterfinal first leg, Real Madrid beat last seasons finalist Borussia Dortmund 3-0 in Spain. PSG started aggressively and scored when Terry failed to deal properly with Blaise Matuidis cross and his header fell to Lavezzi some 15 metres out. The Argentina winger swiveled brilliantly before planting the ball into the top left corner for his 10th goal of the season. Chelsea struggled to deal with PSGs speed on the break, and midfielder Ramires was shown a yellow card after hacking down Lavezzi as he turned away from him near the halfway line. Ramires misses the return leg next week. Lavezzi caused Cahill constant problems with his pace. Midway through the half, Lavezzi got away from him down the left but his shot hit the side of the net. Chelsea equalized against the run of play in the 27th minute when Brazil centre half Thiago Silva lunged in a fraction too late and clipped midfielder Oscars leg. It was surprisingly rash judgment from Silva, the Brazil captain, who is considered one of the best defenders in the world. With the jeers from the Parc des Princes crowd ringing in his ears, ice-cool Hazard sent goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu guessing the wrong way. Lavezzi had another effort saved by Cech, but the home side nearly fell behind in the 40th minute when Hazards brilliantly controlled volley from wide left hit the right post. Lavezzi outshone Ibrahimovic and his looping free kick caused panic in the Chelsea defence and Luiz clumsily knocked the ball over the line. Worse was still to come for a ramshackle Chelsea defence that will need a vast improvement to stop PSG scoring an away goal next week that would surely put the tie beyond the Blues reach. ' ' '
Win Over The Phillies -- Is Especially Encouraging. The Ri
Aug 24 2019, 05:54 AM
