The Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-4 on Wednesday night in the third meeting of a four-game National League East set at Truist Park. The Braves now lead the series by 2-1.
Philly struck first on a solo home run from Odubel Herrera during the top of the second. Atlanta tied the game at 1-1 on a solo shot by William Contreras and took the lead on a two run single from Ozzie Albies in the bottom of that inning. Dansby Swanson also contributed an RBI single in the second to put the Braves ahead 4-1. The Phillies chipped away at that lead with another run in the fourth and two in the top of the fifth to even the score at 4-4. Swanson scored the tie-breaking run for the Braves on a wild pitch and two-base error by the Phillies in the bottom of that inning.
Austin Riley also clubbed a solo home run for Atlanta in the fifth. Swanson tied a career-high with four hits on the night to include a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth.
Braves reliever Spencer Strider was credited with the win, and Ranger Suarez was charged with the loss for the Phillies.
The Braves now have sole possession of second place in the National League East with a record of 21-23, and the Phillies are in third place at 20-24. Their series finale is scheduled for this evening at 7:20 pm. Listen on WLAQ 1410 AM or 96.9 FM; air time is 6:05 pm.
In a minor league update, the Rome Braves dropped a Wednesday matinee to the Hudson Valley Renegades 8-4 in New York. Those teams’ six-game set is now tied at 1-1. Game three is scheduled for tonight at 7:05 pm.