Phillies rally to salvage finale vs. Braves

Field Level Media|published: Sun 31st March, 16:36 2024

Mar 31, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates his home run during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. credits: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Alec Bohm had two hits and two RBI, Kyle Schwarber homered and singled and the host Philadelphia Phillies salvaged their three-game homestand with a 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

Trea Turner hit an RBI single for the Phillies, who were outscored 21-7 in the first two games.

Since the Braves started left-hander Chris Sale, the Phillies only had one left-handed batter in the starting lineup in Schwarber. Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh were not in the lineup though Stott and Marsh each were called upon as pinch hitters in the seventh inning.

Harper tumbled over the railing by the dugout in Saturday's loss, but manager Rob Thomson said that event was unrelated to being lifted for this scheduled day off.

Phillies starter Ranger Suarez tossed five innings and allowed three hits and three runs with seven strikeouts and one walk.

Matt Strahm (1-0) earned the win in relief.

Jose Alvarado threw a scoreless ninth inning for his first save.

Ozzie Albies hit a home run, single and three RBI and Austin Riley added two hits for the Braves. Adam Duvall added an RBI single.

Sale gave up five hits and two runs with seven strikeouts and two walks in 5 1/3 innings.

Aaron Bummer (0-1) took the loss.

The Phillies scored three times in the seventh inning to take a 5-3 lead. Bohm hit a two-run single to left field after Turner ripped an RBI single to right field.

Jarred Kelenic doubled with one out in the eighth and scored when Albies hit an RBI single to cut the deficit to 5-4.

The Braves quickly went ahead 2-0 in the first inning when Albies launched a two-run home run to left field.

In the bottom of the first, Schwarber ripped his 32nd career leadoff homer to close the Phillies within 2-1.

In the fourth, the Braves took a 3-1 advantage when Duvall hit an RBI single to score Riley from second base. Duvall appeared to reach second but was called out after an official review.

The Phillies loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth. Schwarber grounded into a double play though Edmundo Sosa scored to close within 3-2.

—Field Level Media