Jean Segura Powers the Phillies in Braves Blowout
Final Score: Phillies 12 – Braves 2
The Phillies took advantage of a big first inning Friday night to extend their winning streak to five games with a 12-2 win over the Braves in Atlanta.
(Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)
The offensive explosion was sparked by the return of Jean Segura and Bryce Harper to the lineup. Segura had four hits, two runs and two RBI, while Bryce contributed with two hits, a walk and a run scored.
The instant run support allowed Zach Eflin to cruise through 6 2/3 innings with the bullpen easily finishing the job.
All in all, it was an encouraging start to a nine-game road trip.
Top Plays
- The Phillies batted around in the first inning, taking advantage of Charlie Morton’s wildness (and an inconsistent strike zone) with a crucial dropped third strike for Rhys Hoskins followed by a Bryce Harper walk. Subsequent singles by J.T. Realmuto, Alec Bohm and Jean Segura gave the Phils a 3-0 lead. Then Odubel Herrera launched a 412-foot, three-run home run to make it 6-0. After Zach Eflin walked, Braves manager Brian Snitker mercifully relieved Morton, his shortest outing since 2015.
- Zach Eflin struck out the side in the fourth and was in control all evening. He was removed from the game somewhat quizzically by Joe Girardi with two outs and no men on base in the seventh after throwing 99 pitches. Nonetheless, he’s been solid this season with a 3.38 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 42 strikeouts and just 3 walks.
- After Charlie Morton’s early exit, Josh Tomlin mitigated the damage for the Braves by pitching 4.1 innings while scattered five hits and allowing just 1 run with five strikeouts.
- Dansby Swanson put the Braves on the board initially with a home run in the second. He also hit a single in fifth that turned into double when Bryce Harper missed a diving catch. Swanson is 10-for-23 against Eflin in his career.
- The Phillies added a run to their lead in each the third (McCutchen fielder’s choice), sixth (Bohm single), seventh (McCutchen single) and eighth (Herrera fielder’s choice).
- Also in the eighth, J.T. Realmuto crushed a ball to dead center field for his 99th career home run.
- Jesse Biddle – the former first round pick of the Phillies and Germantown Friends School grad – pitched two innings for the Braves and allowed two runs on three hits.
- David Hale pitched a flawless two innings to finish the game.
- Along with their 16 hits, the Phillies went 8-for-15 with runners in scoring position.
- Tonight’s game in Atlanta’s Truist Park was both clubs’ first game with 100% capacity in the stands. The announced attendance was 38,952, the largest MLB crowd since the 2019 World Series on October 30, 2019.
Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance
Zach Eflin: 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 8 K, 1 BB
Charlie Morton: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 6 ER, 1 K, 1 BB
Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Jean Segura
After spending time on the injured list and rehabbing in Lehigh Valley, Jean Segura appears to have recovered from his quad injury. He went 4-for-5 with two runs and two RBI, while looking comfortable in the field.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Saturday, May 8 vs. Atlanta Braves at 7:20 pm at Truist Park
- RHP Vince Velasquez (1-0, 4.91 ERA) vs RHP Ian Anderson (2-1, 3.27 ERA)
- TV: NBC 10 and FS1 / Radio: 94 WIP
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