Braves pour it on late to rally past Phillies

Field Level Media|published: Fri 29th March, 18:12 2024

Mar 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (99) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. credits: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Olson had three doubles and three RBIs, Michael Harris II added three hits and an RBI and the Atlanta Braves defeated the host Philadelphia Phillies 9-3 on Opening Day for both teams on Friday.

Orlando Arcia compiled three hits, Ronald Acuna Jr. added two hits and an RBI and Adam Duvall produced a two-run, pinch-hit double. The Braves scored twice in the seventh inning and seven times in the eighth.

Braves starter Spencer Strider allowed three hits and two runs with eight strikeouts and two walks in five innings. Pierce Johnson (1-0) earned the win in relief.

Brandon Marsh hit a two-run home run and Alec Bohm had two hits for the Phillies.

Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler tossed six scoreless innings and gave up five hits with five strikeouts and no walks. Jose Alvarado (0-1) allowed five runs on three hits and two walks in just two-thirds of an inning.

Harris hit an RBI single to center off Alvarado in the eighth inning for a 3-2 lead. Acuna added an RBI single with the bases loaded and another run crossed the plate after a wild pitch by Connor Brogdon for a 5-2 advantage. Austin Riley then walked to force in Atlanta's sixth run, and Olson cleared the bases with a three-run double.

Sean Murphy suffered an undisclosed injury after swinging at a 1-1 pitch in the seventh inning and left the game. Travis d'Arnaud replaced him with a 1-2 count and struck out on the first pitch he saw from Matt Strahm.

The next batter was Duvall, pinch-hitting for Jarred Kelenic, and his double to left tied the game at 2.

The game was scoreless in a pitcher's duel through four innings. The Braves had three hits — singles by Acuna, Harris and Kelenic. The Phillies' lone hit was a single by Bohm.

Murphy reached first with one out in the fifth on a fielding error by Phillies shortstop Trea Turner, and Arcia followed with an infield single. Kelenic grounded into a fielder's choice and Acuna popped out to Bohm in foul ground off third base.

Bryson Stott opened the bottom of the fifth with a single to center and stole second base with one out. Marsh followed with a two-run home run to left-center for a 2-0 advantage.

Nick Castellanos' RBI single for the Phillies with two outs in the ninth closed the scoring.

—Field Level Media