ATLANTA (AP) - Odubel Herrera extended his hitting tear and had so much offensive support in Philadelphia’s lopsided win over Atlanta that the Braves couldn’t commit to Bartolo Colon’s next scheduled start.
Herrera continued his power surge with a two-run homer and two doubles, Tommy Joseph homered and drove in three runs, and the Phillies beat the Braves 11-4 on Monday night.
Herrera became the first Philadelphia player to hit two doubles in three straight games, according to Phillies records dating back to 1913. He had three extra-base hits for the second straight game, with a homer in each one.
“He looks like the guy we know he can be and it’s great to see,” manager Pete Mackanin said.
Aaron Altherr added a two-run shot off Eric O’Flaherty in the eighth.
The 44-year-old Colon endured another rocky start , allowing eight runs. After the game, Braves manager Brian Snitker said he didn’t know if Colon will remain in the rotation for his next start.
“We’re going to think about it going forward,” Snitker said. “I haven’t made a decision about the next one. We’ll see.”
Colon (2-7) lasted only 3 2/3 innings. His ERA rose from 6.99, already the highest in the majors among qualified pitchers, to 7.78.
The right-hander gave up at least five runs for the sixth time in 12 starts this season, but said it’s just a slump.
“Physically and mentally I still feel good,” he said through a translator. “Right now I’m in a bad streak, really. Really all I have to do really is try to work my way out of it any way I can.”
Colon has failed to pitch more than 5 2/3 innings in eight straight starts, the longest streak of his career. He has given up 24 runs, 17 earned, in his last three.
“My entire career I’ve never had a start to a season that has gone this way,” he said. “That’s baseball. I have to keep going and get out of it.”
Colon walked two batters in Philadelphia’s five-run fourth.
“His location obviously isn’t what it has been in the past,” Mackanin said.
Nick Pivetta (1-2) permitted three runs in five innings for his first major league win.
Cesar Hernandez had a two-run single before scoring on Herrera’s homer, which barely cleared the 16-foot brick wall in right field before bouncing back into the glove of right fielder Nick Markakis.
“It’s been pretty awesome to watch,” Joseph said about Herrera’s hot streak. “Any time he swings the stick, it’s a barrel. Good for him. He’s a big weapon at the top of the order because he can do so much, so it is good to get him going.”
Joseph had three hits, including a two-run homer in the first. Altherr also had three hits .
Johan Camargo hit a two-run triple off Pivetta in the fourth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pivetta remained in the game after being hit on his right hip by Matt Adams’ liner in the fourth. During a visit from the Phillies’ trainer, Adams flexed his right hand, which also might have been sore.
PUT AWAY THE SUITCASE
The Braves had played only 22 home games, fewest in the majors, before opening an eight-game homestand with the first of four against the Phillies. The Braves will play 18 of their next 21 at new SunTrust Park.
BARTOLO BOBBLEHEAD
One reason Colon might receive at least one more start: The Braves plan to give away Colon bobblehead dolls to the first 20,000 fans before Friday’s game against New York, his former team.
STILL HOT
Ender Inciarte, who drove in five runs with five hits against the Reds on Sunday, had two hits and two walks in his first two plate appearances for Atlanta, giving him a streak of reaching safely in nine straight plate appearances. He scored two runs.
UP NEXT
Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola is 3-1 with a 2.32 ERA in five career starts against Atlanta.
Braves: LHP Jaime Garcia is 1-1 with a 0.42 ERA in his last three starts, lowering his season ERA to 3.18. He allowed two earned runs over six innings and did not receive a decision in a 4-3 loss at Philadelphia on April 22.
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