After getting swept by the Atlanta Braves only one week ago, the Phillies are back on track, torching those same Braves 9-1 en route to their third straight win. Aaron Nola was masterful, while the scuffling Rhys Hoskins fell only a triple short of the cycle.
The Phillies offense showed out in this one, as every member of the starting lineup reached base safely. Alec Bohm tallied three base knocks, while Brandon Marsh notched two of his own, but the true hero in this game was Rhys Hoskins. The Phillies’ first baseman went 3-4 with a double, a home run and four RBI, raising his season OPS to an outstanding .810 mark.
The Phillies were equally dominant on the mound, as staff ace Aaron Nola twirled 6.0 shutout innings, allowing four hits and three walks, while punching out eight. Nick Nelson then allowed one earned run in two innings, while the beleaguered Connor Brogdon tossed a one-two-three ninth inning to slam the door.
This was a much needed breakout game for a Phillies team that has struggled to shut down high-level opponents of late. However, after splitting a two-game set with the Blue Jays earlier this week, the Phils have now taken the first two games of their four-game series with the Braves, and have whittled their magic number down to nine to clinch a playoff spot.