ATLANTA _ The slog to this season's finish line matched a Canadian right-hander against a Brazilian left-hander, both with ERAs above 6.00, but one rookie had a little more to prove than the other. Nick Pivetta has endured a beating. He has vowed it will transform him into a better player. The Phillies believe in Pivetta's fortitude, and that is why they have sent him to the mound every fifth day.
He has one more start in 2017 after a 2-0 win over the Braves, and he could conclude his rookie season with better feelings. Pivetta has permitted two runs in his last two starts (12 innings) with 12 strikeouts and three walks. He has lowered his ERA to 6.26 from 6.75. The Phillies have won five of the last six games he's started.
He allowed five hits and one walk while striking out four over six innings on Sunday.
The Phillies, who entered the day tied for the worst record in baseball, salvaged a game here. Their 13 wins against the Braves this season were the team's most since 2008. They are now 35-35 against National League East clubs with their final six at Citizens Bank Park against Washington and New York.
The Phillies took a 1-0 lead on Maikel Franco's solo home run in the fifth inning. They added a run in the eighth when Aaron Altherr doubled home Cesar Hernandez.
Just one Braves runner reached third base in six innings against Pivetta. The 24-year-old right-hander ceded to a bullpen that held the slim margin. Edubray Ramos, compromised by inconsistent stretches, threw the ball well again. He has a 3.18 ERA since his recall Aug. 2, with 32 strikeouts and six walks in 222/3 innings. Adam Morgan, elevated to a setup role, pitched a scoreless eighth. He has a 2.23 ERA since June 17, with 47 strikeouts and 13 walks in 401/3 innings.
Then, in the ninth, Hector Neris converted his 18th straight save chance. Neris, 28, has a 3.14 ERA.
The Phillies could spend this winter on some bullpen upgrades, much like they did last winter by investing $18.2 million in Joaquin Benoit, Pat Neshek and Jeanmar Gomez. The returns were mixed. Neris, Morgan and Ramos could form the nucleus of a young bullpen. But the addition of a veteran closer or setup man would make the unit even deeper.
For now, the Phillies feel a bit better about their bullpen than their rotation.
