Trea Turner launched a tiebreaking home run off closer Raisel Iglesias in the ninth inning, lifting the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night.
Turner’s first home run of the season came on a slider from Iglesias (0-2), breaking the tie and giving the Phillies a crucial win in the second game of their three-game series.
The two NL East rivals have now split the first two contests.
José Alvarado (2-0) earned the win, closing out the final four outs for the Phillies. After allowing a one-out single to Marcell Ozuna in the ninth, Alvarado struck out Matt Olson and Austin Riley’s single advanced pinch-runner Stuart Fairchild to third.
However, Alvarado sealed the victory by striking out Sean Murphy to end the game.
Philadelphia had taken a 3-2 lead in the seventh inning when Bryce Harper hit a two-run homer off Dylan Lee. Harper’s blast into the Braves bullpen behind center field drove in Turner, who had singled earlier in the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, Riley tied the game with a solo homer off Joe Ross, making up for two earlier popups with the bases loaded in the third and fifth innings.
The Braves added some new firepower as well. Right-hander Rafael Montero, acquired in a trade with Houston on Tuesday night, joined the Braves roster. Atlanta also optioned right-hander Zach Thompson to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Key Moment
The Phillies’ defense held strong in the fifth inning when José Ruiz relieved Taijuan Walker with two outs and the bases loaded.
Ruiz pitched out of the jam when Riley’s popup was caught by second baseman Bryson Stott in shallow right field.
Key Stat
Braves right-hander Grant Holmes threw 104 pitches in four-plus scoreless innings, despite allowing three hits.
He issued a 10-pitch walk to Harper in the fifth, which led to his exit from the game.
Up Next
The series finale on Thursday will feature Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who is 2-0 in three career starts against the Phillies, facing off against Phillies left-hander Jesús Luzardo (2-0, 1.50 ERA).
