Teheran loses perfect-game bid in seventh but Braves sweep Phillies

ATLANTA Julio Teheran didn’t pitch a perfect game against the Phillies on Sunday. He did pitch an excellent game, continuing a late-season trend that gives the Braves hope he’ll be a front-line starter again in 2016.

Teheran was perfect through six against the Phillies until second baseman Freddy Galvis ended the bid with a single to lead off the seventh. Teheran had to settle for a no decision as the Phillies tied the game in the ninth inning before the Braves won, 2-1.

Teheran held the Phillies to five singles over 8 1/3 innings. Relief pitcher Peter Moylan replaced him and gave up a two-out, run-scoring single to Andres Blanco that tied the game at 1-1.

The Braves won the game on A.J. Pierzynski’s RBI single against Luis Garcia with one out in the bottom of the ninth. The Braves (60-90) earned their first three-game sweep since they did it to the Mets June 19-21.

It would help the Braves a lot if Teheran could regain the form that earned him his first All-Star selection in 2014. The Braves declared Teheran their unquestioned ace coming into this season but new addition Shelby Miller emerged as an All-Star, while Teheran was inconsistent and occasionally ineffective for the first half of the season.

Teheran has been much better in the second half. In 12 of his past 15 outings including Sunday, Teheran delivered quality starts of no more than three earned runs allowed and at least six innings pitched.

Teheran was at his best against the Phillies on Sunday. He struck out six batters while allowing no hits and no walks through six innings. There had only been two close calls: second baseman Jace Peterson made a leaping catch to snag Odubel Herrera’s line drive in the first inning, and Darin Ruf’s line drive to deep left field with two outs in the fifth faded foul.

Teheran struck out Ruf with the next pitch and, in the sixth inning, retired Cameron Rupp, Cody Asche and Aaron Nola in order. Galvis swung at Teheran’s first-pitch fastball and knocked it cleanly through the middle of the infield for Philadelphia’s first hit.

After Braves fans applauded Teheran’s effort, he went right back to work and retired the next three batters. He got into a jam when he walked Blanco to lead off the eighth and Ruf followed with a single.

Teheran got out of the tight spot when he caught Rupp’s pop-up bunt attempt and threw to Andrelton Simmons at second base for the double play. Teheran struck out pinch hitter Darnell Sweeney to end the inning.

Teheran batted to begin the bottom of the eighth, meaning he’d get a chance for the shutout. He was pulled in favor of Moylan after giving up one-out, back-to-back singles to Aaron Altherr and Brian Bogusevic.

Braves fans gave Teheran an ovation as he walked to the dugout and he tipped his cap in acknowledgement. Moylan retired Jeff Francoeur before Blanco singled to Todd Cunningham in shallow right field.

Cunningham’s throw home was off line, forcing catcher Christian Bethancourt away from the plate. Bethancourt’s tag attempt was too late to get Altherr, and Bethancourt left the game with an unspecified injury that he suffered on the play. He was replaced by Pierzynski, who delivered the winning hit.

Philies rookie Aaron Nola was nearly as effective as Teheran through seven innings. He limited the Braves to five hits while striking out four and walking three.

The Braves staked Teheran to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Galvis couldn’t handle Michael Bourn’s sharp ground ball, which rolled into the outfield as Bourn took second base. Originally ruled an error, the play was later changed to a double by the official scorer.

Hector Olivera followed with a base hit that moved Bourn to third. Freddie Freeman poked Nola’s first pitch into left field to score Bourn.

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