Categories: 2019 Postgame Recaps

Phillies hold on to beat Braves in series opener

Rhys Hoskins’ two-run homer put the Phillies ahead in the fifth. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)

The Philadelphia Phillies (77-72) erased an early 2-0 deficit to beat the Atlanta Braves (93-59), 5-4, in the opener of a three-game set at SunTrust Park on Tuesday. Last week in Philadelphia, Dallas Keuchel silenced the Phillies bats in a Braves win, but tonight in Atlanta, the Phils put up five runs on the lefty. The Phillies offense was led by Rhys Hoskins and Jose Pirela, who both hit two-run home runs to power the offense. Bryce Harper finished with two hits while Cesar Hernandez had the other Phillies RBI.

Meanwhile, Vince Velasquez gave the Phils five innings of two-run ball and the bullpen allowed a run over the final four innings. Hector Neris escaped a jam in the ninth to seal the win for his 27th save of the season.

Let’s take a look at how the scoring took place…

Atlanta didn’t waste any time getting on the board. Ozzie Albeis hit a one-out triple before Vince Velasquez walked Freddie Freeman. Josh Donaldson followed with a sacrifice fly to make it a 1-0 game. Two batters later, Matt Joyce laced an RBI single to left, giving the Braves a two-run advantage.

In the fourth, the Phillies took the lead. Bryce Harper hit a one-out single and Rhys Hoskins launched an opposite field two-run homer to right, tying things at two a piece.

Scott Kingery and Sean Rodriguez hit back-to-back-singles and Kingery scored on an RBI groundout by Cesar Hernandez to make it 3-2. Left fielder Jose Pirela extended the lead to 5-2 with a two-run home run of his own, plating Rodriguez.

The Phillies had an opportunity to pad their lead in the fifth, loading the bases with one down. Scott Kingery was retired on a terrific over-the-shoulder catch by Braves second baseman Ozzie Albeis. Sean Rodriguez popped out to first to end the threat, keeping the lead at three.

In the eighth, Atlanta got a run back courtesy of a pinch hit homer off the bat of Adeiny Hechavarria.

The Braves inched a little bit closer in the ninth. Adam Duvall led things off with a solo home run to deep left field, making it a 5-4 Phillies lead. Ronald Acuna drew a walk and stole second before getting to third on an Albeis groundout. Fortunately, Hector Neris was able to strike Josh Donaldson out get Nick Markakis to pop out to shortstop, ending the game.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Velasquez came into Tuesday’s start 0-6 with a 5.36 ERA in 11 career games against the Braves. He had a strong showing against them in tonight’s series opener. Velasquez gave up two runs in five innings, striking out eight and walking two.

After tossing six innings of one-run ball in Philadelphia last week, the left-hander surrendered five runs on eight hits over five innings of work. Keuchel allowed a pair of two-run home runs to Rhys Hoskins and Jose Pirela.

Phillies Nuggets Player(s) of the Game: Rhys Hoskins

Heading into Tuesday night, Hoskins was hitting .201 in the second half. So, it is good to see positives in any form from Hoskins as the season winds down. His home run ended up putting Philadelphia ahead as a part of their five-run fifth inning.

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