Phillies Hang on to Defeat Atlanta
After losing the opener of a three-game series against division foe, the Atlanta Braves, the Philadelphia Phillies were looking to rebound. Thanks to late inning heroics, it was Philadelphia leaving Truist Field with a 4-3 victory on Wednesday night.
The first half of the was a pitcher’s duel, as both Grant Holmes and Taijuan walker threw goose eggs. Holmes, went four innings, and allowed only three hits, and struck out six batters. However, he threw a lot of deep counts, and walked four batters in the game.
On the other hand, Walker had another fine outing, as he allowed five hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked three, but he got out of several jams, and struck out five batters.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Phillies broke the tie, as Max Kepler got a one out single to right. Then, J.T. Realmuto lined a single to center, and then second baseman, Bryson Stott, hit a ball to the right side. It was knocked down by Ozzie Albies, but Kepler was moving around the bases, and made the score, 1-0.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Braves responded. Atlanta’s catcher, Sean Murphy, led off with a walk. Then, after a groundout, and another walk against Phillies reliever, Jose Ruiz, Orlando Arcia singled a ball through the left side, which scored Murphy, and tied the game at 1-1. Atlanta took the lead, as Michael Harris II hit a sac fly that scored Kelenic, and made the score, 2-1.
In the top of the 7th, Trea Turner got a bloop single to right, and then on the 7th pitch of his at-bat, Bryce Harper took a 95-mph fastball from Braves reliever, Dylan Lee, and crushed it over the wall in right center field. Harper’s 2nd home run of the year, gave the Phillies, a 3-2 lead.
Atlanta tied it in the bottom of the 7th, and it stayed that way, until the top of the ninth. Trea Turner jumped on a first pitch slider from Atlanta’s closer, Raisel Iglesias, and hit it over the left center field fence. Turner’s first homer gave Philadelphia a 4-3 lead.
In the bottom half of the inning, Philadelphia’s closer, Jose Alvarado, allowed two singles, and runners were on the corners, but he struck out Murphy to end the ballgame, and pick up his second win of the season.
Philadelphia will close out the series in Atlanta on Thursday night, as Jesus Luzardo will take the mound for the Phillies, and Spencer Schwellenbach will start for the Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
-David Weightman/ Olde City Sports Network