Phillies Force Decisive Game 3 in NL Wild-Card Series Against Braves

ATLANTA — Alec Bohm gave Philadelphia the lead with a two-out home run in the 10th inning, securing a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves. This win forces a decisive third game in their National League wild-card series.

The Phillies managed a comeback with solo homers by Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper after trailing 3-1 in the seventh inning. Harper’s home run redeemed an earlier fielding mistake. Andrew Painter, typically a starter, preserved the Phillies’ bullpen by pitching three scoreless innings. In the 10th, he struck out Dominic Smith, utilizing a successful ABS challenge.

Despite playing under traditional extra-inning rules without designated runners, Bohm’s 357-foot shot became his third career postseason home run. The Phillies aim to maintain their playoff success over the Braves, having previously triumphed in the 1993 NLCS and the 2022 and 2023 NLDS.

During play, a crucial moment came in the seventh inning when Drake Baldwin’s double glanced off Harper’s glove, driving in Sean Murphy for the Braves’ lead. This became a key factor in the Braves’ temporary advantage. Adding pressure, Matt Olson contributed with a sacrifice fly.

Harper commented, “Probably should have been caught,” referring to the missed catch. Playing outfield again late this season, Harper initially struggled to adjust to Baldwin’s hit near the warning track. However, he was not charged with an error.

In the eighth inning, the Phillies evened the score with home runs by Schwarber and Harper off of Dylan Lee. Schwarber hit a notable 447-foot drive, while Harper’s shot traveled 418 feet.

Tyler Mahle gave up one run on six hits over seven innings for the Braves. Cristopher Sánchez allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings for the Phillies, throwing a career-high 116 pitches.

Painter allowed a single to Mauricio Dubón but later struck out Austin Riley. A bloop single by Michael Harris II preceded a key strikeout of Smith, confirmed through the first-ever postseason strike-zone appeal.

Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper attempted to catch a fly ball from Braves’ Drake Baldwin, narrowly missing it in the seventh inning of Wednesday’s Game 2.

Prior to the incident, Harper shifted from first base to right field post-trade deadline. He struggled with Baldwin’s drive while playing shallow. With runners on, he attempted a leaping catch, only to see the ball bounce off his glove.

Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. showed aggressive play, walking and stealing two bases. He scored on Olson’s single during the initial inning. Sánchez held firm, not conceding another hit until Murphy’s fifth-inning double.

Mahle performed strongly, matching Sánchez’s pace and securing his only perfect inning in the fifth by striking out both Schwarber and Harper.

Before Baldwin’s grounder concluded the fifth inning, Sánchez intentionally walked Acuña with two outs.

Injury Update

Edmundo Sosa sustained a leg injury after an infield single, necessitating a pinch runner, Derek Hill.

Next Game

Braves RHP Grant Holmes, with a 10-6 record and a 3.44 ERA, is likely to start or pitch in relief for Game 3 against Phillies RHP Aaron Nola, who holds a 7-12 record with a 4.67 ERA.