Game 3 - 2021 Topps Opening Day #62 Alec Bohm

Phillies 2, Braves 1
Game 3 - Sunday Afternoon, April 4th in Philadelphia
Record - 3-0, 1st Place, 2 games ahead of the Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  Zach Eflin pitched wonderfully through seven innings and Alec Bohm came through with the game-winning clutch RBI single in the eighth as the Phillies defeated the Braves, 2-1.

What It Means:  Similar to how they started the 2019 season, the Phillies start the 2021 season with a sweep of the Braves at home.  The Mets come to town next for three games beginning on Monday night.

What Happened:  Eflin continued the trend started by Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler with a solid outing, striking out eight and only allowing a seventh inning home run to Travis d'Arnaud.  The d'Arnaud home run was one of only four hits surrendered by Eflin, and it's a shame he couldn't come away with the W.  Andrew Knapp had started the scoring for the Phillies with a solo home run in the second, the first home run of 2021 hit by the club.  Didi Gregorius contributed solid defense again.

The revamped Phillies bullpen held the lead provided by Bohm with Jose Alvarado striking out a pair in the eighth and Hector Neris working around two walks in the ninth to record his first save of the season.  Braves slugger Freddie Freeman went 0 for 9 in the series.

Featured Card:  With the score tied at 1-1, Rhys Hoskins and Bryce Harper hit back-to-back singles in the bottom of the eighth.  Bohm lined a single to center to score Hoskins and give the Phillies the lead.  The young third baseman has been one of the team's (and the league's) best hitters with runners in scoring position, and I'm excited to watch him play in Philadelphia for many, many years.  Bring on the Mets!

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