The Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday night. The victory gave Atlanta the best-of-three series and ended Philadelphia’s season.
Philadelphia had forced Game 3 with a dramatic 4-3 win in 10 innings one day earlier. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper hit back-to-back home runs in the eighth before Alec Bohm hit the winning homer in the 10th.
Game 3 turned quickly when Michael Harris II hit a three-run homer off Aaron Nola in the bottom of the first inning.
Nola lasted only 1 2/3 innings after the Phillies chose him to start instead of Zack Wheeler on short rest. Wheeler entered in the third inning. Ozzie Albies hit a two-run homer off Wheeler in the fourth to give Atlanta a 5-0 lead.
The Phillies managed only two runs despite getting several chances with runners on base. Trea Turner drove in Philadelphia’s second run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.
Matt Olson added a solo home run for Atlanta in the seventh inning.
The Braves opened the game with left-hander Ray Kerr and then relied on their bullpen. Chris Sale entered with two outs in the eighth as Atlanta protected its lead. According to MLB the Braves had built their advantage with home runs from Harris and Albies before Olson added another.
The loss ended a postseason run that began when Philadelphia claimed the final National League playoff spot. Atlanta now advances to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.