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Sunday, October 8, 2023

NLDS Game 1 - Bullpen, Defense Quiet Braves in Atlanta


Phillies 3
, Braves 0
NLDS Game 1 - Saturday Night, October 7th in Atlanta
Phillies lead series, 1-0

One Sentence Summary:  An incredible performance from the bullpen, a few timely hits and a game-changing double play all contributed to this 3-0 series opening win against the Braves.

What It Means:  Zack Wheeler takes the mound on Monday night, as the Phils will attempt to go up 2-0 before the series moves to Citizens Bank Park for Game 3 on Wednesday.

What Happened:  Offensively, the Phillies had five stolen bases, setting a franchise postseason single-game record.  In the fourth, Bryce Harper walked, went to second on an errant pick-off throw from Braves' starter Spencer Strider, and scored on a Bryson Stott single to left.  Harper lined a solo home run over the right field wall in the sixth, giving the Phillies a 2-0 lead.  In the eighth, with the bases loaded, the Phillies scored their third run when J.T. Realmuto's swing hit Sean Murphy's catcher's mitt, forcing a run home on catcher's interference.  

Phillies' starting pitcher Ranger Suarez cruised through the first three innings, but at the first sign of trouble in the fourth manager Rob Thomson pulled him in favor of reliever Jeff Hoffman.  Hoffman did his job, and so did the five relievers that followed him.  Seranthony Dominguez allowed a pair of hits but struck out the side in the fifth.  Jose Alvarado and rookie Orion Kerkering threw 12 and eight pitches respectively n the sixth and seventh innings.  Matt Strahm walked a tight rope in the eighth, but got out of the inning thanks to a spectacular double play started by Trea Turner (see below).  And Craig Kimbrel retired the Braves in order in the ninth to clinch the win.

Featured Card:  I had to capture a screenshot for this card, as there didn't appear to be any good photos available yet.  With the Phillies holding their 3-0 lead, Kerkering walked Ronald Acuna Jr. to start the eighth, and was replaced by Strahm.  Austin Riley singled off Strahm, and Matt Olson flew out to Johan Rojas, with Acuna tagging to put runners on the corners with one out.  Ozzie Albies stepped to the plate.  Albies drilled a sharp ground ball in the hole, corralled by Turner, who flipped the ball underhand to Stott, who relayed to Harper at first for the inning-ending double play.  There was screaming and yelling in our household, so we initially missed the call from Scott Franzke.

Transaction:  As expected, Michael Lorenzen (rhp) was added to the NLDS roster, taking the place of Weston Wilson (inf).

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