Braves spoil Phillies’ party on opening night

April 6, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Once the Philadelphia Phillies finished celebrating their World Series title, the Atlanta Braves spoiled the rest of the opening-night party.

Derek Lowe pitched eight superb innings, three Braves homered off Brett Myers and Atlanta beat the defending champions 4-1 in the major league opener on Sunday night.

Brian McCann hit a two-run homer, Jeff Francoeur had a solo shot and Jordan Schafer went deep in his first career at-bat for the Braves.

Lowe (1-0) allowed two hits, no walks, struck out four and the sinkerballer got 13 groundouts.

Mike Gonzalez pitched out of trouble in the ninth to secure the victory.

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AtlantaPhiladelphia

abrhbiabrhbi

Johnsn 2b4000Rollins ss4010

Escoar ss4010Werth rf4011

Jones 3b4120Utley 2b3000

McCnn c4112Howard 1b4000

Andrsn lf4010Ibanez lf4000

Francr rf4111Victorn cf3000

Ktchm 1b4000Feliz 3b3000

Schafer cf3121Ruiz c3010

Lowe p3000Myers p1000

Norton ph1000Dobbs ph1000

Gonzalz p0000Tschnr p0000

Eyre p0000

Durbin p0000

Lidge p0000

Brntltt ph1110

Totals35484Totals31141

Atlanta220000000—4

Philadelphia000000001—1

LOB—Atlanta 5, Philadelphia 4. 2B—Escobar (1), Jones (1), Ruiz (1), Bruntlett (1). HR—McCann (1), Francoeur (1), Schafer (1).

IPHRERBBSO

Atlanta

Lowe W,1-0820004

Gonzalez121112

Philadelphia

Myers L,0-1684416

Taschner100001

Eyre2-300001

Durbin1-300001

Lidge100001

Umpires—Home, Jeff Kellogg; First, Mark Wegner; Second, Tim Timmons; Third, Rob Drake. T—2:22. A—44,532.