Andrew Knapp Makes Game-Winning Play At Plate As Phillies End Losing Streak With Win Over Braves
ATLANTA (AP) -- Rhys Hoskins, Didi Gregorius and Alec Bohm homered, Philadelphia's bullpen turned in a rare sparkling performance and the Phillies snapped a five-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday night.
It wasn't easy for the Phillies, who watched closer Brandon Workman survive the ninth when Dansby Swanson, the potential tying run, was tagged out at the plate by catcher Andrew Knapp to end the game. The Braves challenged the call, but it was upheld.
Heath Hembree, making in Phillies' debut, retired his two batters in the sixth to strand a pair of runners in scoring position, helping a bullpen that began the night with an 8.29 ERA that was by far the worst in the majors.
Tommy Hunter and Workman pitched the last two innings.
Philadelphia took a 5-3 lead in the fourth on Andrew McCutchen's RBI single, but left the bases loaded when Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto popped up. They did the same in the fifth when McCutchen flew out.
The lead was enough for the Phillies to win in Atlanta for just the seventh time in 22 games, a span of three seasons. Philadelphia improved to 2-6 on the road this year.
Bohm hit his first career homer, a 446-foot shot that carried into the fountain in center field, to make it 1-0 in the second. McCutchen singled, Hoskins went deep to left field and Gregorius connected to right in the third.
Atlanta cut the lead to 4-3 in the third on Freddie Freeman's RBI double and Marcell Ozuna's RBI single.
Tomlin gave up six hits and four runs in three innings. Touki Toussaint, Atlanta's next pitcher, allowed one run and two hits in 1 1/3 innings.
The Braves had won two straight and five of six and were 10-3 at Truist Park this season, the best record in the NL.
Zach Eflin (1-1) allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He improved to 4-3 with a 3.82
Bohm reached four times, including walk and two singles.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: Manager Joe Girardi said LHP Ranger Suárez (COVID-19) threw in a game Saturday at the team's alternate training site in Lehigh Valley. ... RHP David Robertson (Tommy John surgery) threw to some batters standing in.
Braves: Manager Brian Snitker said OF Ronald Acuña Jr. (left wrist inflammation) took batting practice and added the team will see how he responds Monday before deciding whether he can be activated Tuesday against the New York Yankees. ... 2B Ozzie Albies (right wrist bone contusion) will swing a bat Monday, but Snitker had no immediate timetable on him.
RARE O-FER
Harper, who homered and walked Saturday to boost his OPS to 1.192, tops in the majors struck out three times. He had reached safely in all 22 games this season.
TOP PROSPECT
Snitker said rookie OF Cristian Pache was promoted primarily to help defensively late in games, not to be in the everyday lineup. Pache, the team's top prospect, made an impressive throw to the plate late in Saturday's win and was in Friday's lineup batting ninth while making his debut.
LATE RALLIES
Saturday's 6-5 victory was the Braves' 83rd in their final at-bat since Snitker took charge on May 17, 2016. That's the most in the majors over that span. The Braves lead the NL this season with six victories in their final at-bat. They rank first in the majors with four victories when trailing after seven innings.
UP NEXT
Both teams are off Monday and have yet to announce a starter for Tuesday. The Phillies open a three-game series at Washington against RHP Erick Fedde (1-1, 2.55). Atlanta faces Gerrit Cole (4-0, 2.75) as it begins a two-game home series against the Yankees.
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