Jhoan Duran closed out a Phillies win Friday. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher
After hitting four home runs Thursday, Kyle Schwarber had to settle for a more modest 1-for-3 performance, with a walk added in. However, Schwarber scored both times he was on base, and that — along with an excellent night from the bullpen — proved to be all the Phillies needed in a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Braves.
In the top of the second inning, Jurickson Profar drove in the first run of the game, plating Sean Murphy with an RBI single off of Ranger Suárez.
Suárez limited the Braves to just one run over five innings, but he really wasn't sharp. The 30-year-old lefty struck out just two batters and allowed 10 hits over five frames. Suárez needed a Nick Castellanos outfield assist to prevent a second run from crossing the plate to end the fifth inning, and his evening:
This throw by Nick Castellanos was a seed!
(Via @aokstott)
pic.twitter.com/Wi1zdU0LgZ
Meanwhile, the Phillies evened the score at one apiece in the bottom of the fourth inning on a Brandon Marsh RBI single that scored Schwarber:
The Phillies pull even on a Brandon Marsh RBI! 🐶
(Via @aokstott)
pic.twitter.com/ttjZiUSzDN
A night after scoring 19 runs on 20 hits, the Phillies pushed across just three hits and one run over seven frames against Atlanta starter Bryce Elder, who entered the game with a 6.12 ERA over 22 starts. It was your dad's worst nightmare.
But in the eighth inning, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper both singled off of reliever Dylan Lee. Pierce Johnson then came in to face Alec Bohm with runners on the corners. Bohm drove a ball to the right field warning track, far enough that not even Ronald Acuña Jr. had a strong enough arm to make a play on. Schwarber crossed home plate as the go-ahead run on Bohm's sac fly:
Phillies take the lead on Alec Bohm’s sac fly! 🦒
pic.twitter.com/hU6Rv3vz8e
Jhoan Duran converted the save attempt in the ninth inning, as he, David Robertson, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering combined to pitch four scoreless innings in relief of Suárez.
The Phillies and Braves will continue their four-game weekend series Saturday. Cristopher Sánchez will take the ball for the Phillies, while reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale is expected to be activated from the injured list and make his return from a fractured left ribcage for the Braves.
