The Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves ended their four-game series on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park, with the hosts taking the series three games to one. With a close 3-2 win, the Phillies improved to 81-56, while the Braves slid to 74-63.
Scoring runs didn't come easy for both teams, as they struggled to put up consistent hits against starters Aaron Nola and Spencer Schwellenbach. The former pitched six quality innings, only allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out nine hitters. The Braves starter threw 5.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and two strikeouts.
Both starting pitchers came off the mound with the game tied 2-2. The relievers from both teams also put blanks, needing extra innings to extract a result. The game continued until the 11th inning before Nick Castellanos drove in Kody Clemens for a walk-off win.
Philadelphia Phillies vs Atlanta Braves Game Player Stats
Philadelphia Phillies Game Player Stats
Atlanta Braves Game Player Stats
Michael Harris II Home Run Tonight
There weren't a lot of home runs on the spectacle for fans at Citizens Bank Park. The lone home run in Sunday's game was from Michael Harris II, who crushed the long ball against Aaron Nola in the top of the third inning. It was a 413-foot home run into center field.
Nola allowed another run in the fourth inning, as Whit Merrifield grounded into shortstop giving enough time for Matt Olson to reach home and take the Braves up by 2-0.
The Phillies tied the game 2-2 in the sixth inning on Nick Castellanos' two-run RBI double, on which Bryce Harper and Trea Turner reached home.
While the Phillies are all but confirmed to go into the postseason, leading by 7 games in the NL East, the Braves are holding onto the third and last Wild Card spot with the New York Mets (1.0 GB) and the Chicago Cubs (3.0 GB) not far away to topple them.