Key hits — and outs — and a (barely) spotless bullpen give Phillies big win in Atlanta

Final score: Phillies 3, Braves 2

In a game that perhaps spiced up the rivalry between two NL East foes who seem destined to meet up in the postseason yet again this fall, some small ball and a great-yet-terrifying bullpen gave the Phillies the last laugh in a series-tying victory over the Atlanta Braves.

After falling behind 2-0, the Phillies strung together just enough key hits — and, maybe more critically, some key outs — and a struggling bullpen reverted back to its early season ways, at least for a night, by the skin of its collective teeth.

It wasn’t easy, for bullpen or team. It rarely is, these days. But what it’s worth as a postseason preview without a terrifying finish? The Phillies are 74-52.

Highlights

• Orlando Arcia got the Braves on the board in the fourth, hitting a two-run homer after Jarred Kelenic’s leadoff single. Arcia, infamous in Philadelphia for “atta boy Harper” and a subsequent stare down by the Phillies slugger in last year’s NLDS, gave Harper a stare down of his own as he rounded the bases.

• The bottom of the lineup started a rally in the sixth, and the top took care of the rest. Edmundo Sosa singled and Johan Rojas doubled before Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner scored them on a sacrifice groundout and sacrifice fly, respectively.
• After Nola departed with two on and one out in the sixth, Jeff Hoffman rolled a double play ball by Gio Urshela to keep it knotted up at two.
• Weston Wilson, who is on fire (see more below), doubled to kick off the eighth, before Bryson Stott moved him to third and Brandon Marsh drove him in with a sac fly.

• The ninth inning was dreadful, until it was over. Carlos Estévez put two on with one out, then two in scoring position with two outs, before Whit Merrifield — who else? — came to the plate with a chance to win it. He hit a spinner that Bryce Harper smothered and picked up before stepping on first for the win.

Notes

• The aforementioned Weston Wilson tidbit:

• Terrifying as it was, the bullpen combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Hoffman threw 2/3 of an inning, Matt Strahm threw a scoreless seventh, Orion Kerkering threw a much-needed perfect eighth and Estévez just barely got the save.

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Thursday, Aug. 22 vs. Atlanta Braves at Truist Park 
• 7:08 p.m. EST
• FOX
• 94 WIP, WTTM 1680 (Esp.)

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