Today in the NL East: Sheets starts for Braves

The Phillies finally got a win on Saturday as they defeated the Rockies, 8-5, behind a strong pitching performance by Vance Worley (see recap).

Worley surrendered two runs on eight hits and two walks over 6 2/3 innings en route to his fifth win of the season.

But as has been the issue all season, the bullpen nearly blew the game (see story).

Relievers Jake Diekman and Brian Sanches combined to give up three runs over 2/3 innings. Jonathan Papelbon came in to pitch 1 2/3 innings of no run ball to end the game.

The Phils will close out their series with the Rockies Sunday afternoon (see preview).

Here is what is going on in other NL East action.

Mets at Atlanta, 1:35 p.m.
Ben Sheets will make his first major league start in nearly two years as the Braves (48-39) try to sweep the Mets (46-42) on Sunday.

With Brandon Beachy out for the year and a struggling starting rotation, Atlanta decided to take a chance on Sheets, who went 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA in 10 2/3 innings for Double-A Mississippi this year.

The right-hander hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2010, when he went 4-9 with a 4.53 ERA in 20 starts with Oakland before a torn flexor tendon and torn ligament in his throwing elbow ended his season.

"He's really, really pumped up about pitching again," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "You don't always get a second chance, and I think him two years of not pitching and then getting a little taste of it, I think is going to be good."

Atlanta is looking for a season-best seventh straight victory on Sunday.

New York sends Johan Santana (6-5, 3.24 ERA) to the rubber.

In his last start, the left-hander gave up a season-high seven runs and a career-worst 13 hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Cubs.

Nationals at Marlins, 1:10 p.m.
The Nationals (50-35) look to bounce back from a loss on Saturday when they play the Marlins (42-45) Sunday afternoon.

Washington fell to Miami, 2-1, on Saturday as Marlins starter Mark Buehrle stymied the Nats’ offense. Buehrle threw seven innings of one-run ball.

Ricky Nolasco (8-6, 4.35 ERA) hopes to have similar success as his teammate in Sunday’s matinee. The right-hander is 8-2 with a 3.42 ERA in his last 13 starts against Washington.

Nolasco must be wary of Nats’ third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Since 2009, Zimmerman is 7-19 with three homers against Nolasco.

Stephen Strasburg (9-4, 2.82 ERA) gets the nod for Washington.

The 23-year-old has lost his last three starts while compiling a 4.80 ERA over that span.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.