Feel-good finish as Phils go back to back … to back

Happy birthday, Phanatic!

The Phillies wrapped up a three-game sweep of the Braves on Sunday with a spectacular finish.

After both teams failed to plate a run through six, the Braves got one across when Kemp homered off Eflin, who was immaculate for the rest of his start. The Phillies got the run back in the bottom of the seventh, but their real damage came an inning later.

With Saunders on, Cesar Hernandez – who somehow leads the team lead with four home runs – went yard to give the Phillies their first lead of the day.

Aaron Altherr, who should get more playing time while Howie Kendrick is on the disabled list, followed by launching one out to dead center and into the Phillies bullpen. It’s his second longball of the 2017 campaign, but he’s put up an encouraging .364/.417/.667 slash line in his limited playing time. Combined with his good defense, Altherr might see Kendrick’s injury as his opportunity to prove himself as more than a fourth outfielder.

Ever the show-stopper, Odubel Herrera had to add on with a homerun and characteristic bat flip of his own, this one an opposite-field shot to left center.  It gave the Phils a 5-1 lead heading into the ninth that ultimately held up as a 5-2 victory.

It was the first time the Phillies had hit back-to-back-to-back homeruns since 2008, when Utley, Howard, and Burrell were responsible for the same feat.

For those keeping score at home, the Phils have won four straight and five of their last six games. They’re 9-9 and have a positive run differential.  If that doesn’t have you feeling good enough, do yourself a favor and watch all three bombs here.