Aug 18, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) celebrates his three-run home run during the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline
The Phillies lacked offense Saturday night, but Trea Turner came through when it counted and walked off the Atlanta Braves after a nail-biter of a game.
After allowing six runs on eight hits in his last start, Cristopher Sánchez had a much-needed bounce back start for the Phillies. Following Zack Wheeler's season-ending injury, Sánchez is now the Phillies' top starter, and he pitched like it Saturday night. Sánchez came out of the gate with his best stuff, striking out Braves first baseman Matt Olson and right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in the top of the first:
Cristopher Sánchez struck out Matt Olson & Ronald Acuña Jr. in the first👀
(via @PitchingNinja)pic.twitter.com/6xYxzMN4sg
The Phillies' bats, whose temperaments greatly vary day to day, were quiet against reigning NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale. Sale looked nearly untouchable, finishing the game with nine strikeouts. He gave up just three hits: two to Trea Turner, and one to nine-hole hitter Weston Wilson, who put the Phillies on the board in the third inning with a solo home run:
*Tom Hanks voice* WILSOOOOON🏐pic.twitter.com/nZQu68DCDk
The Phillies couldn't get much else going on offense. However, they held down the fort defensively and turned two double plays against Braves designated hitter Sean Murphy:
Sean Murphy 2nd Half
80 AB
0 HR
7 RBI
29 SO
.150 BA
.523 OPS #BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/53YAqFsirb
The Braves were definitely hitting off of Sánchez, but the Phillies held them scoreless until the top of the sixth inning, when Olson hit an RBI double to tie the game:
Tied up!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/88wOfEA2FM
Sánchez pitched seven innings for the first time since Aug. 3, allowing eight hits and one run while striking out eight batters and walking none. His ERA is down to 2.66.
The Phillies' pinch hitters attempted to start a rally in the bottom of the eighth. Bryson Stott entered the game for Edmundo Sosa and worked a walk. Brandon Marsh batted for Weston Wilson and notched the Phillies' fourth hit of the night, putting runners on the corners with one out.
The setup seemed perfect, but the top of the order couldn't deliver; Turner struck out, and Kyle Schwarber lined out directly to Acuña.
Phillies closer Jhoan Duran entered for the top of the ninth and pitched a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts to keep the game tied at 1-1. Unfortunately for the Phillies, Braves closer Raisel Iglesias also pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the ninth. Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto and Alec Bohm went down in order to send the game to extra innings.
In the top of the tenth, Braves third baseman Nacho Alvarez Jr. brought in the ghost runner with an RBI single off Matt Strahm, putting Atlanta on top 2-1:
Nacho for the lead!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/osUYoEMAlD
Braves pitcher Hunter Stratton plunked Nick Castellanos with the first pitch of the bottom of the tenth, putting two men on base for the Phils. Stott singled to load up the bases. Then Trea Turner stepped up to the plate:
Trea Turner walk-off single!
pic.twitter.com/MDF6v6hbBW
Turner's third hit of the night brought in two runs, won the game, and clinched the Phillies' series win over the Braves. The NL East foes will finish out the four-game series Sunday night at 7:10 p.m. on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.
