Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jonathan Papelbon throws against the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning of baseball game Thursday, April 17, 2014, in Philadelphia. The Phillies won 1-0.PHILADELPHIA – A.J. Burnett’s injury helped him improve his pitching.
Burnett tossed three-hit ball over seven innings, Ben Revere hit an RBI single with two outs in the eighth and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 1-0 Thursday afternoon.
In his first start since learning he’ll need surgery for an inguinal hernia, Burnett struck out five batters in a duel with Alex Wood (2-2). Atlanta’s Julio Teheran beat Cliff Lee 1-0 less than 24 hours earlier.
“It’s going to be a blessing in disguise,” Burnett said of the injury. “It helped me stay within myself — be simple, nice and easy.”
The right-hander received a cortisone injection Monday and plans to wait until the offseason to have an operation. He has to wait another five days to try for his first win with the Phillies.