William Contreras singled home the winning run as the Atlanta Braves scored twice in the ninth inning for a frenetic 6-5 walk-off victory against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.
The Braves had watched a one-run lead vanish in the top of the ninth, falling behind 6-5, but they answered quickly against reliever Nick Nelson (1-1).
Atlanta’s Dansby Swanson led off with a double and went to third on a wild pitch. Swanson scored when Ronald Acuna’s sacrifice fly was misplayed into a two-base error by center fielder Roman Quinn. Acuna scored on Contreras’ liner to center.
The Braves earned their second walk-off win of the season and evened the four-game series at a game apiece.
The Phillies had taken the lead in the top of the ninth on Bryce Harper’s 438-foot, two-run homer off Atlanta closer Kenley Jansen. It was Harper’s 10th homer of the season and 38th of his career against the Braves — his highest total against any opponent.
Harper finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs.
Jansen (3-0) blew the save but got the win. Ozzie Albies went 3-for-3 with two runs for the Braves.
Neither starter received a decision. Atlanta’s Max Fried worked six innings and allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Philadelphia’s Kyle Gibson pitched five innings and gave up two runs on seven hits and a walk with eight strikeouts.
The Phillies scored a run in the second. Jean Segura, who has hit safely in 18 of 19 starts this month, singled, went to third on Kyle Schwarber’s base hit and scored on J.T. Realmuto’s sacrifice fly.
The Braves answered with two runs in the bottom of the second. Dansby Swanson and Acuna capped Atlanta’s four-hit frame with RBI singles.
The Phillies tied the game 2-2 on back-to-back doubles by Alec Bohm and Harper. Philadelphia loaded the bases, prompting Atlanta manager Brian Snitker to make a mound visit. However, rather than going to the bullpen, Snitker left Fried in to face Realmuto, who struck out swinging to end the inning.
The Braves took a 4-2 lead by scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth. Matt Olson hit his fifth home run, and first since May 14, off the right field foul pole. Acuna added a sacrifice fly.
Philadelphia answered with a run in the seventh on Harper’s line-drive single.
–Field Level Media
