ATLANTA BRAVES’ NUMBER TO CLINCH NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST DROPS TO THREE WITH WIN OVER PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

The Atlanta Braves opened up their last homestand of the ’21 regular season with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in game one of a three-game National League East series at Truist Park on Tuesday night. Atlanta’s magic number to clinch their division now stands at three.

Jorge Soler drove in both of the Braves’ runs on an RBI single which brought Travis d’Arnaud and Dansby Swanson to home plate during the bottom of the third inning.

The Phillies’ lone run of the night was courtesy of a sac fly by Didi Gregorius that scored Bryce Harper in the top of the ninth; that run was unearned.

Charlie Morton was the winning pitcher for Atlanta; he surrendered just three hits, walked two, and struck out 10 over seven scoreless innings. Will Smith secured the save, his 36th of the year. Atlanta-area native Zack Wheeler took the loss for Philadelphia.

The Braves improved to 84-72 and now hold a three and a half game lead in the NL East over the Phillies with five, possibly six, games remaining in the regular season. The teams will meet again tonight at 7:20 pm. The game will be broadcast on WLAQ 1410 AM and 96.9 FM; air time is 6:05 pm.