The sun splashed day and the off season provided an auspicious sign of things to come for the Phillies and the team did not disappoint. They put on their hitting shoes and defeated the Atlanta Braves 10-4.
The day began positively enough when newly minted lead off hitter, Andrew McCutchen, hit a solo home run to deep center field to give the Phillies a quick 1-0 lead. This lead would quickly go by the wayside in the top of the next inning when the Braves tied the game on a walk and stolen base by Ronald Acuna Jr and an RBI single by Nick Markakis. Starting Pitcher, Aaron Nola walked three but worked out of the jam by striking out his opposing starting pitcher, Julio Teheran.
Fast forward to the bottom of the fourth when Phillies fans got a look at their new number two hitter Jean Segura. He hit a single, advanced to second on Dansby Swanson’s throwing error, and got to third on Teheran’s
wild pitch. Teheran had an answer when he sat down Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins.
Newly acquired catcher, JT Realmuto, walked on six pitches and that was followed by consecutive run scoring singles by Odubel Herrera and Cesar Hernandez. These two guys could definitely have considerable value since they are no longer forced to carry the load. The Phillies had a 3-1 lead after the frame.
In the sixth, the Phillies broke the game open with their patented patience at the plate as Braves reliever Shane Carle walked Rhys Hoskins and Herrera when, with two outs, Maikel Franco blasted a home run to left field.
For good measure, the Phillies added four runs in the seventh when Andrew McCutchen walked, Segura singled and the runners advanced on pitcher Luke Jackson’s throwing error. Braves Manager Brian Snitker walked Bryce Harper intentionally. Hoskins followed with a grand slam to left which gave the home team an insurmountable 10-3 lead.
Nola threw six solid innings. He scattered two hits and struck out eight, while walking five. Hector Neris, David Robertson, and Pat Neshek finished the game for the Phils and allowed a few runs with the game out of reach.
While yesterday brought no clarity to the potential closer situation, it certainly brought success with the lineup.
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