 did a lot better against the Phillies, allowing one unearned run on four hits and four walks. He struck out four. Pitching exclusively from the stretch, Jenkins struggled with his command in the fourth, walking two and loading the bases with two outs, but Odubel Herrera swung at the first pitch and popped up. Jim Johnson, the fourth Atlanta pitcher, earned his fifth save in eight chances. Vince Velasquez (8-3) gave up two runs and seven hits in six innings. The Phillies went up 1-0 in the third. Cesar Hernandez scored from first base when left fielder Jace Peterson bobbled Herrera's single. Velasquez made 30 pitches in the bottom half of the inning as Atlanta took a 2-1 lead on RBI singles by Gordon Beckham and Markakis. Markakis went 3 for 3 with two doubles. FIGURE IT OUTInterim Braves manager Brian Snitker believes RHP Matt Wisler and RHP Aaron Blair will be back in the majors soon. Atlanta has a lot invested in Wisler, getting him in the trade that sent closer Craig Kimbrel to San Diego in April 2015, and needs him to command his slider better. Wisler was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett Friday after giving up 16 homers in his last 10 starts. Blair, acquired in the trade that sent Shelby Miller to Arizona and brought Dansby Swanson and Ender Inciarte to the Braves, has made two strong starts at Gwinnett after struggling earlier in his demotion. Blair went 0-5 with a 7.79 ERA in 11 starts with Atlanta. UP NEXTPhillies: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (7-7) is 1-0 in his last two starts, giving up one run in 14 innings. Braves: RHP Julio Teheran (3-8) is 6-3 with a 2.29 ERA in 11 career starts and one relief appearance against Philadelphia.
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Time: 07:35 P.M. EST Venue: Turner Field
ATLANTA -- The Philadelphia Phillies plan to get an extended look at outfielder Aaron Altherr, starting with this weekend series against the Atlanta Braves. Altherr returned to the club on Thursday, made his first start since sustaining a wrist injury in spring training that required surgery and went 3-for-4 with a homer. It appears Altherr is ready to pick up where he left off at the end of last season." I'm anxious to see him play," Philadelphia manager Pete Mackanin said. "It's much better to get a two-month look at him than just a September call-up." The Phillies and Braves play the second game of their four-game series at Turner Field on Friday. Philadelphia sends rookie right-hander Vince Velasquez (8-2, 3.34) against Atlanta rookie Tyrell Jenkins (0-2, 6.17). Altherr was recalled last August and batted .241 with five homers and 22 RBIs. After he was recalled, Altherr led the team in runs, triples, extra-base hits, total bases and walks." We want to see him play as much as possible," Mackanin said. "If he stays healthy, I'll keep running him out there. He's an important part of what we want to do." Altherr played in 13 minor league games with four different teams during his rehab assignment. He hit .341 with one homer and six RBIs in 41 at-bats." I'm definitely excited to get going and get in some situations that I can help the team win," Altherr said. Atlanta, which had only 23 players on its roster Wednesday night, recalled two relievers from Triple-A Gwinnett and went with a nine-man bullpen. Right-hander Jose Ramirez and lefty Matt Marksberry were recalled after the Braves traded starter Lucas Harrell and reliever Dario Alvarez to Texas the previous day. Ramirez made two appearances and pitched two innings in early April and allowed six runs. Ramirez was 3-2 with a 2.18 ERA in 36 appearances with the G-Braves, striking out 45 in 41 1/3 innings. It was the third time Marksberry has played for Atlanta this year, where he's pitched in two games and compiled a 10.80 ERA. He was 0-3 with a 5.01 ERA in 31 relief appearances in 2015, when he made the jump from the Class A level. Marksberry was 4-2 with a 2.32 ERA in 34 combined minor league appearances in 2016." Ramirez has been pitching well," Snitker said. "He's got a great arm. It's just been about trying to get him more consistent. Matt has been here before and he's been pitching well." The Braves will make another pitching move on Friday after optioning starter Matt Wisler to Triple-A following his loss on Thursday. Atlanta must now replace two starters in the rotation, with the most likely candidates being right-handers Casey Kelly and Aaron Blair, who have pitched in the majors this year. Outside consideration may be given to rookie Rob Whalen. The right-hander, who was acquired along with John Gant from the Mets last season, has a 1.93 ERA in three starts for Gwinnett with 18 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings.
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