In the first game of a crucial three-game series, the six-time defending division champions reduced their deficit to six games behind Philadelphia. With six more head-to-head games scheduled in the next 12 contests, the injury-stricken Braves have a chance to make the race even tighter.
Atlanta has claimed victory in five out of their seven encounters with Philadelphia this season.
Marcell Ozuna is pursuing the Triple Crown.
Ozuna is firmly in contention for the Triple Crown and is a major player in the NL MVP race, currently leading the league with a .309 batting average and 94 RBIs, and ranking second with 37 home runs.
The Braves’ left fielder entered the game atop the National League in batting average and RBIs, and second in home runs, trailing only Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers who has 39. Despite these impressive numbers, Ozuna has stated that he is not concentrating on becoming the first NL player to win the Triple Crown since Joe Medwick in 1937.
Reynaldo López made a comeback after a three-week stint on the injured list, delivering five strong innings. The right-hander, who had been sidelined with a forearm injury, allowed one run on five hits and a walk, while recording a season-high 10 strikeouts.
López and Ozuna provided a critical boost for Atlanta, especially after the team learned that slugging third baseman Austin Riley would be out for the rest of the regular season due to a broken hand.
This injury is another blow in a series of setbacks that have put the Braves’ division-winning streak at risk and left them battling to maintain the final NL wild-card spot.
Ozuna managed to find his rhythm just in time to support the Braves. Initially struggling against Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler, with two strikeouts in his first two at-bats and a .180 average in 50 at-bats against Wheeler, Ozuna turned things around in the sixth inning. He smashed a 432-foot home run to center field, marking his second career home run off Wheeler.
After connecting with a 95 mph fastball, Ozuna admired his shot as it sailed into the bushes beyond the outfield wall.
Wheeler (12-6) pitched six innings, giving up two runs on six hits, striking out eight, and not allowing any walks. He was aiming for his 100th career win.
Atlanta dominated Philadelphia in their recent game. The Braves took control in the third inning when Whit Merrifield, who had joined the team on July 22 after being let go by Philadelphia, hit a triple off the right-field wall and later scored thanks to a sharp single from Michael Harris II.
Philadelphia tied the game in the fourth inning when Alec Bohm, who had extended his major-league-best active on-base streak to 36 games with a single in the second inning, led off the fourth with another single. He then scored on a one-out single by J.T. Realmuto.
Atlanta’s pitchers closed the game with four perfect innings. Grant Holmes (2-0) pitched two innings, striking out two batters. Joe Jimenez took care of the eighth inning, and Raisel Iglesias secured his 27th save by closing out the ninth.
The Braves’ lineup included three players recently released by other teams, including new third baseman Gio Urshela. Just two days after being released by the Detroit Tigers, Urshela drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning to increase the Braves’ lead.
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