Major League Baseball

Pierzynski delivers in 9th, Braves beat Phillies 2-1

Published Sep. 20, 2015 4:29 p.m. ET

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ATLANTA (AP) Perfect through six innings, Julio Teheran lost his shutout and chance for a win in the ninth.

A.J. Pierzynski ensured the right-hander could still celebrate a rare sweep.

Pierzynski's single in the ninth drove in Andrelton Simmons from third to lift the Atlanta Braves past the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 on Sunday.

The Braves took three 2-1 wins in the series between the teams with the worst records in the majors.

Teheran did not allow a baserunner before giving up a single to Freddy Galvis to lead off the seventh. He allowed one run on five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts in 8 1-3 innings. He appeared confident as he worked quickly on the mound.

''Everything was working today,'' Teheran said. ''I was ahead in the count most of the day, and I was attacking hitters. That was the difference. I know I didn't get the win, but I'm glad the team got the win.''

With the game tied 1-1 in the ninth, Simmons reached on a one-out infield hit against Luis Garcia (3-6) and advanced to second on third baseman Cody Asche's throwing error. Simmons stole third before Jace Peterson walked.

Pierzynski, who entered as a replacement for injured catcher Christian Bethancourt in the top of the inning, dropped a single into shallow left-center field to drive in Simmons.

''I feel bad for Julio, the way he pitched, not getting the decision,'' Pierzynski said.

Pierzynski said he felt he had to deliver ''right off the couch'' when Bethancourt suffered a stretched thumb muscle on a play at the plate in the top of the ninth.

Peter Moylan (1-0) recorded the final two outs in the ninth for his first win since June 15, 2013 with the Dodgers.

Teheran and Moylan couldn't hold a 1-0 lead in the ninth.

Teheran gave up singles to Aaron Altherr and Brian Bogusevic. Andres Blanco's two-out single off Moylan drove in Altherr, who slid across the plate. Bethancourt was hurt stretching for the tag.

Aaron Nola gave up one run on five hits and three walks in seven innings.

NO POUTING ALLOWED

Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said he took Herrera out of the game after Herrera hit a pop fly and threw his bat. ''Also, he didn't run hard,'' Mackanin said. ''Boys play Little League. Men play Major League Baseball. We will not pout. We will not feel sorry for ourselves. If you want to, you don't belong here.''

Mackanin said Herrera has ''been pouting for a few days. And I want to make sure he gets the message.''

NO PERFECTION

No Braves pitcher has thrown a perfect game. Atlanta's last no-hitter was thrown by Kent Mercker in a 6-0 win against the Dodgers on April 8, 1994.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Phillies: Altherr said before the game his left wrist is still ''bothering me a little bit, but not enough to keep me out.'' After being held out of Saturday's lineup, Altherr started in left field and moved to center in the fourth when Herrera was removed from the game.

Braves: Assistant GM John Coppolella announced RHP Mike Foltynewicz has blood clots in his right arm and has been in Atlanta's Piedmont Hospital since Friday. Foltynewicz is on blood thinners. He had been on the DL since Sept. 2 with inflammation in his ribs. Coppolella said the blood clots are not related to the ribs injury.

UP NEXT

Phillies: Following an off day on Monday, the Phillies open a three-game series at Miami on Tuesday. RHP Aaron Harang (5-15) is scheduled to face RHP Tom Koehler.

Braves: The final road trip of the season begins at the Mets on Monday night when RHP Shelby Miller (5-15) again will try for his first win since May 17. Miller's streak of 22 winless starts is the longest for any pitcher in a season during which he was an All-Star.

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