Phillies boat-raced by Braves as Atlanta struggles continue
NBC Sports Philadelphia • • sports
Key Points:
- The Phillies struggled in a recent series against the Braves at Truist Park, losing 12-2 after a promising start by opener Tim Mayza and an early home run by Bryce Harper.
- Jesús Luzardo, who had been one of the best pitchers since July, was scratched from his scheduled start due to shoulder soreness, further straining the Phillies' bullpen.
- Relief pitchers Brooks Raley and Grant Holman struggled significantly, allowing multiple runs and contributing to a seven-run fourth inning that sealed the Phillies' defeat.
- Defensive errors by Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm compounded the Phillies' problems, and the team's offense, which had been strong in August, faltered with the lowest OPS in the majors in early September.
- With the loss, the Phillies fall six games behind the Braves in the division and one game behind the Cubs for the top National League wild-card spot, shifting their focus to simply making the playoffs rather than winning the division.
