The Atlanta Braves evened their NL Division Series at one game apiece, blanking the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 on Wednesday night. Rain delayed the start of the game nearly three hours.
The Braves Kyle Wright outdueled the Phillies Zack Wheeler. The Phillies only offensive threat came in the second inning, when Bryce Harper led off with a double, then tagged and moved to third on a flyout to deep center by Nick Castellanos. Harper had to scramble back to third on Alec Bohm’s groundout to first, and Brandon Marsh struck out.
The Braves got to Wheeler in the bottom of the sixth. Wheeler retired the first two hitters, and the his trouble started when he plunked Ronald Acuña Jr. near the right elbow on a 96 mph fastball that rode up and in on the slugger. Dansby Swanson walked and Matt Olson drove in the first run of the game, ripping a single past first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who waved at a ball he should’ve at least knocked down.
Austin Riley hit a little dribbler down the third-base line for an infield hit that made it 2-0. Then, it was Travis d’Arnaud grounding one up the middle for another run-scoring hit before Wheeler finally got the third out.
The best of five series is tied one apiece. Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) will get the nod in Game 3. The Braves had not yet announced their starter, which will either be RHP Charlie Morton (9-6, 4.34) or rookie RHP Spencer Strider (11-5, 2.67). Strider hasn’t pitched since Sept. 18 because of an oblique injury.
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) swings during the sixth inning in Game 2 of baseball’s National League Division Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in Atlanta. Photo courtsey of AP Photo/John Bazemore
