Braves Advance with Decisive Game 3 Win
The Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 on Thursday night at Truist Park to win their National League Wild Card Series in three games. Michael Harris II hit a three-run homer in the first inning, Ozzie Albies added a two-run shot in the fourth, and Matt Olson hit a solo homer in the seventh. Chris Sale, who started Tuesday's series opener, came out of the bullpen on one day of rest to get the final four outs, striking out Bryce Harper to end the eighth and then striking out Bryan De La Cruz and pinch-hitter Otto Kemp in the ninth. Atlanta will play at Dodger Stadium on Saturday in the opening game of a best-of-five Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the two-time defending World Series champions.[S1]
Surprise starter Ray Kerr threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings for Atlanta in his postseason debut and only his fourth career start. The 32-year-old left-hander allowed one hit and one walk, both to Kyle Schwarber, and left to a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 41,731. Grant Holmes followed Kerr and allowed one run in two innings to earn the win. Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola was pulled after allowing three runs in 1 2/3 innings, walking Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson before giving up Harris's homer. Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia's starter, allowed two runs in four innings, including Albies's homer, and Jonathan Bowlan gave up Olson's shot to center field.[S1]
Managerial Reactions and Series Context
Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said he told his players that all year long, when the stakes were highest and the challenges toughest, they had been at their absolute best, so the performance did not surprise him. Weiss also praised Kerr, saying he hoped Kerr became a bit of a household name and deserved it, noting Kerr's perseverance, grateful heart, and lack of rattling, comparing him to a 10-year veteran. Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said the Braves went start to finish in the division and were the best team over the course of the 162 games. Mattingly also said that if you do not win the last game, it is a crash landing no matter where it is.[S1]
The Braves took a postseason series for the first time since winning the 2021 World Series and earned their first playoff series win against the Phillies. Philadelphia had beaten Atlanta in the 1993 NL Championship Series and the 2022 and 2023 NLDS. After winning the NL East by six games over Philadelphia this year, the Braves came out on top in their postseason matchup too. Philadelphia's 2022 World Series loss to Houston began a streak of five straight postseason appearances with progressively quicker exits: the NL Championship Series, two NLDS exits, and now the Wild Card Series loss.[S1]
Attendance and Injury Notes
The game drew a sellout of 41,731 after the Braves fell short of sellouts in the first two games of the series, with school and work conflicting with the 2:15 p.m. first pitch for many fans. Afternoon starts also hurt attendance in other Wild Card Series games this week. The announced attendance at Truist Park was 30,127 on Tuesday and 37,150 on Wednesday. Edmundo Sosa remained in the Phillies' starting lineup at third base after he appeared to aggravate a groin injury running to first base and left Wednesday's game in the ninth inning. Mattingly said second baseman Luis Arraez, who was left off the roster for the series due to a left ankle sprain, has progressed to working in the weight room. Weiss said Braves right-hander Tyler Mahle, who allowed only one run in seven innings on Wednesday despite feeling an abdominal pull in pregame warmups, was feeling pretty good on Thursday.[S1]
