Atlanta Braves Drop Game Two To Pesky Phillies
By Deke Lloyd
After taking the opening game of the series, the Atlanta Braves were bullied by the power of the Philadelphia Phillies en route to a 6-5 loss in the second game. However, even with the loss, the Braves magic number moved to 9 with the Washington Nationals falling to the Twins.
The Philadelphia Phillies continue to be pesky. Though 14 games behind the Braves in the NL East, the Phillies are only two games out of the final wild-card spot. It’s hard to believe a team with Bryce Harper, JT Realmuto, Corey Dickerson, Jean Segura, Jay Bruce, Rhys Hoskins, and Aaron Nola would be considered pesky at this point of the season. It seems like the Phillies GM’s declaration to spend “stupid money” to make the playoffs this season could backfire spectacularly. The Phillies are still in the playoffs race, barely, so they’ll still find ways to pop up to make the Braves life more difficult. Last night proved to be one of those nights.
Max Fried was on the mound for the second game with the Phillies. Coming off his best start of the season against the Nationals, Fried was looking to build off that momentum. Unfortunately, the Phillies got to Fried early in the first inning, who gave up home runs to Bryce Harper, JT Realmuto, and Corey Dickerson. Fried would fight back, however, going five innings before exiting the game trailing 5-4 after getting hit for another home run in the third inning.
Being in a hole has not been an issue for the Braves this season. Time after time the Braves have rallied to come back from deficits all season. Last night, after falling 4-0 in the first, the Braves fought back to tie to the game in the third inning. The Braves were unable to retake the lead, but the fight in this team is on display every night. Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna Jr. both ended the game with three hits last night which is a positive sign moving towards the playoffs.
The Atlanta Braves will look to bounce back tonight in the third game of the series with Dallas Keuchel on the mound for the home team. Zach Eflin will be on the mound for the Phillies. His last outing was very successful for the Braves, getting 7 runs off 10 hits and chasing Eflin before the fourth inning. The Braves will look to continue that trend tonight in Philadelphia. First pitch will at 7:00 P.M.