Brandon Workman Makes Phillies Debut, Immediately Contributes To Another Blown Lead In Loss To Braves
ATLANTA (AP) -- Adam Duvall and the Atlanta Braves spoiled Brandon Workman's debut with Philadelphia, rallying for a 6-5 win over the sliding Phillies on Saturday night.
Workman, who was acquired in a trade with Boston on Friday, entered with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning. He promptly surrendered a two-run double to Matt Adams, lifting the Braves to a 5-4 lead.
After Bryce Harper hit a tying sacrifice fly in the ninth, the Braves handed Workman (0-1) a loss in the bottom half. With two out and the bases loaded, Adam Duvall ended the game with a single back up the middle.
On the play before Duvall's hit, the winning run was wiped out by a video review. Shortstop Didi Gregorius threw home on Travis d'Arnaud's grounder. Umpire Chad Whitson called pinch runner Alex Jackson safe before a review showed catcher J.T. Realmuto tagged the plate.
Harper also hit the second-longest homer of his career in the first inning of the Phillies' fifth consecutive loss. His sacrifice fly in the ninth drove in Neil Walker, who slid in safely despite a strong throw by rookie left fielder Cristian Pache.
It was the first blown lead in five tries for Braves closer Mark Melancon.
Hector Neris, whose role as Philadelphia's closer is in question, gave up two hits, including a run-scoring single by Marcell Ozuna, and a walk to open the eighth.
Adams' double down the left-field line drove in Freddie Freeman and Ozuna, who scored the go-ahead run from first.
The Phillies' slumping bullpen wasted a strong start by Zack Wheeler, who allowed two runs in seven innings.
Harper's two-run shot off Robbie Erlin in the first traveled an estimated 470 feet, landing deep in the seats in right-center. The homer, Harper's seventh, drove in Rhys Hoskins, who walked.
It was the second-longest homer at Truist Park, which was known as SunTrust Park when it opened in 2017. The New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton hit a 477-foot homer off R.A. Dickey on Aug. 4, 2017.
It also was Harper's second-longest homer, as tracked by Statcast. While with Washington, Harper hit a 473-foot homer off the Phillies' Nick Pivetta on May 4, 2018, at Nationals Park.
Wheeler allowed five hits and set a season high with eight strikeouts.
Andrew McCutchen connected for Philadelphia in the seventh, going deep against Grant Dayton.But Austin Riley responded with a two-run shot off Wheeler in the bottom half, cutting Philadelphia's lead to 4-2.
The Phillies added Workman, Heath Hembree and David Hale to their 28-man roster before the game. They were acquired in a pair of trades Friday.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: OF Jay Bruce (left quad strain) was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Friday. Manager Joe Girardi said Bruce could only run at 50 or 60% percent and needs the time off "so he can be a complete player for us."
Braves: Ronald Acuña Jr. (left wrist inflammation) will be checked on Sunday after taking swings and doing other work with the team during batting practice. "Everything went really well," said manager Brian Snitker, who said Acuña may take more swings Sunday if he has no discomfort from Saturday's work. ... Snitker said 2B Ozzie Albies (bone contusion in right wrist) is "feeling really good" and may take batting practice on Monday.
UP NEXT
Phillies: RHP Zach Eflin (0-1, 5.14 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season in Sunday night's final game of the series.
Braves: RHP Josh Tomlin (1-0, 2.35 ERA) will make his second start of the season following eight relief appearances.
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