Drake Baldwin blasted a go-ahead, two-run homer in the ninth inning, helping the visiting Atlanta Braves top the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 to salvage the finale of their four-game series.
Jake Fraley began the decisive inning with a routine grounder that reliever Jose Alvarado missed, resulting in an infield single. After a sacrifice bunt and a strikeout, Baldwin hit a first-pitch sinker over the left-field fence.
Brandon Marsh accounted for the Phillies’ only run with a solo homer. Philadelphia struck out 13 times against five Braves pitchers, including Tyler Kinley, who delivered a 1-2-3 eighth inning, and Raisel Iglesias, who struck out two batters in the ninth.
Philadelphia starter Jesus Luzardo allowed two hits with seven strikeouts over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Atlanta’s Hurston Waldrep gave up one run and four hits with nine strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings.
Neither team had a baserunner in the first 2 1/2 innings. Philadelphia loaded the bases with one out in the third inning, but Waldrep retired Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper to escape the jam. Luzardo retired the side in order in the fourth inning, setting the stage for Marsh’s homer against Waldrep.
Atlanta put two runners on in the seventh but failed to score. Michael Harris II’s single ended Luzardo’s night, and Fraley delivered a pinch single before David Robertson retired Nacho Alvarez Jr. on a grounder to preserve the lead. Schwarber tripled in the seventh, but Harper lined out on the next pitch.
Atlanta drew even in the eighth inning thanks to three straight baserunners against Orion Kerkering. Tanner Banks limited the damage, though Matt Olson’s grounder plated a run to tie the game at 1-1. Baldwin’s ninth-inning homer ultimately secured the Braves’ victory.
