As the game slipped from their grasp, Trea Turner seized a critical moment following a contentious replay review that overturned what seemed like a game-ending out. His clutch hit not only leveled the score but also laid the groundwork for Alec Bohm's seventh-inning heroics.
Bohm's timely two-run single sparked a remarkable turnaround, fueling the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-4 triumph over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park.
Trailing 3-2 in the pivotal seventh inning with the tying run stationed on first base, the Phillies turned to Brandon Marsh as a pinch-hitter. Facing the challenge, the Braves summoned reliever Aaron Bummer to the mound. Bummer managed to strike out Marsh before the Braves had executed what looked to be a crucial double play on Johan Rojas' ground ball to shortstop. However, Rojas's lightning speed ensured he beat the throw to first base, and upon the Phillies' challenge, the call on the field was overturned.
"It was the biggest part of the game, really," said Phillies manager Rob Thomson.
Kyle Schwarber wasted no time against Bummer, lacing a first-pitch to center field, advancing Rojas into scoring position. Trea Turner followed suit, grounding a game-tying single to right field and stole second base, setting the stage for Alec Bohm's clutch two-run single that eluded the outstretched glove of diving left fielder Adam Duvall, granting the Phillies a 5-3 lead.
Atlanta narrowed the gap with Ozzie Albies's eighth-inning RBI single, but the Phillies' bullpen, anchored by José Alvarado's ninth-inning save, held firm to clinch the hard-fought victory.
Ranger Suárez and a resilient bullpen corps stifled the Braves' potent offense, limiting them to just seven hits. This marked a significant improvement after the Braves amassed an impressive 32 hits over the first two games of the series. Matt Strahm's flawless seventh inning cemented the victory.
Atlanta's starter Chris Sale surrendered two runs on five hits and two walks while tallying seven strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. Sale initially gained the upper hand when Ozzie Albies launched a two-run homer in the first inning for the second consecutive day. However, Schwarber swiftly responded with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first, a blistering shot with an exit velocity of 114.4 mph landing in the right-field seats.
Thomson has spoken highly of Rojas all spring, particularly his defensive acumen and electrifying speed on the basepaths, which he believes can tilt the scales in favor of the Phillies. He may have gone 0-for-8 in the series, but his speed proved instrumental in securing the Phillies' victory on Sunday.
“He’s battling,” Thomson remarked. “A little tougher day today, but he’s battling. For the most part, he’s giving us good at-bats. And he’s dynamic. He runs the bases, just like that play kept that inning alive just because of his speed. He’s doing fine.”
Resting Harper
Bryce Harper was notably absent during the Phillies' first win of the season on Sunday, a precautionary measure taken after his acrobatic flip into the first-base camera well while chasing a foul pop the day before. Manager Thomson clarified that Harper was unable to pinch-hit due to feeling "a little bit sore, that's all."
"Just from the tumble," Thomson explained. "He's going to be fine [Monday]."
Harper himself expressed eagerness to return to action, stating, "I'm definitely looking forward to getting in there tomorrow."
Up Next
The Cincinnati Reds visit Citizens Bank Park on Monday to open a three-game set. Cristopher Sanchez will make his 2024 season debut for the Phillies, opposing lefty Andrew Abbott. The Reds took two-of-three from the Nationals to open the season.
