Braves ride quick start to clinch NL East title, eliminate Phillies’ postseason hopes

The Philadelphia Phillies season had been slowly heading toward a cliff for weeks, but it quickly flew off the edge on Wednesday night at Truist Park.

Starter Kyle Gibson allowed a leadoff home run to Atlanta hitter Jorge Soler to begin the bottom of the first, setting the tone as the Braves won 5-3 to claim the National League East title and eliminate the Phillies from postseason contention.

Philadelphia lost this three-game series in Atlanta in a sweep, now sitting at 81-78 on the season. With the playoffs out of reach, the team still has one three-game set remaining in Miami to clinch its first winning season since 2011.

The Braves got their offense started right away on Soler’s solo shot, while the Phillies couldn’t get much of anything going until the seventh inning. The Braves added two runs in the fourth inning on a homer by Austin Riley and an RBI double by Dansby Swanson and two more in the fifth on an RBI triple by Ozzie Albies and an RBI single by Riley. The Phillies, on the other hand, scored six runs in the entire series.

Phillies left fielder Andrew McCutchen finally did some damage against Atlanta starter Ian Anderson in the seventh inning on a two-run home run to left field. J.T. Realmuto hit a solo home run in the eighth inning to bring the Phillies within two, but closer Will Smith entered for the Braves and tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to secure their fourth straight NL East championship.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

• Gibson was hit hard immediately, and it didn’t really stop from there. He was credited with allowing five runs (four earned) over 4 2/3 innings of work. He struck out eight batters, but ultimately was not effective enough to give the scuffling Phillies a chance.
• Anderson was excellent through six, although he hit a wall as he entered the seventh, surrendering the home run before recording an out in the inning. He gave up two runs, three hits and three walks.

Phillies Nugget Of The Game

This one’s simple: 2021 is the 10th consecutive season in which the Phillies have missed the postseason.

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Friday, Oct. 1, vs Miami Marlins
• LoanDepot Park
• 7:10 p.m.
• NBC Sports Philadelphia
• SportsRadio 94WIP

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