Strong Pitching Lead Atlanta Braves to NLDS Game 2 win over Phillies

After a game one loss in the NLDS, the Braves needed a bounce back win against Zack Wheeler and the Phillies.
 
Game one of the NLDS was largely a disappointment for the Atlanta Braves. Headlined by poor at-bats with runners in scoring position for the Braves as well as an uncharacteristic poor start from Max Fried, Atlanta walked away with a loss.

Losing the first game of the series was a big blow for Atlanta, who effectively lost home-field advantage. The loss Tuesday also made Wednesday’s game a must-win for the Braves.

Tuesday’s game, which was originally scheduled for 4:37 PM EST, was pushed back three hours due to heavy rain in Atlanta. This change was more than welcome for the Braves, who performed very poorly during day games this year (hence yesterday).

With Tuesday’s game being a must-win, Atlanta needed a great start from the MLB’s most winningest pitcher in the 2021 season, Kyle Wright.

Wright did not disappoint at all.

After a quick three-and-out in the first inning for the Phillies, superstar Bryce Harper led off the 2nd inning with an opposite field double. Unlike Fried in Tuesday’s game, Wright had no trouble stranding him and the two other Phillies that reached successfully.

After the second inning, a Phillies runner did not even reach second base during Wright’s time in the game. Kyle was hitting spots effortlessly, which is indicative when you see he struck out six and walked one.

Wright was not the only starter dealing. Zack Wheeler was also dealing despite the long rain delay.

Braves had no answer for Wheeler in the first five innings of the game. Atlanta’s first hit and base runner came from Ronald Acuña Jr. in his second at-bat of the game in the 4th inning.

Acuña’s single in the fourth was the only base runner Atlanta had until the 6th inning, when (unsurprisingly) Ronald Acuña was hit by a pitch on his right elbow with two outs. After spending a significant amount of time with the trainers getting checked out, Acuña was cleared to run and took his spot at first base.

Wheeler, who had been completely dominant up until this point, followed the HBP by walking Dansby Swanson, placing runners at first and second with two outs.

After watching Philadelphia “single” them to death Tuesday, the Braves decided they wanted to try it out. Matt Olson, Austin Riley, and Travis d’Arnaud all hit consecutive singles, earning the Braves three runs.

With the Braves finally breaking the seal in the sixth inning and taking the lead, A.J Minter was elected to pitch the seventh and did just what the Braves needed. Minter swept through the Phillies heart of the lineup and got a quick three-and-out.

After an uneventful seventh inning for the Braves offense, Raisel Iglesias was brought in for the set up. Iglesias gave up a single but got out of the eighth stress-free and kept the shutout intact.

With the game 3-0, the Braves brought out their closer Kenley Jansen to secure a Braves game two tie. Kenley got three quick outs to close out the game securing the 3-0 victory over the Phillies. 1-1 tie in the NLDS.

Stronger pitching performances top-to-bottom helped the Braves even the series up and put pressure back on the Phillies.

Atlanta’s starting pitcher for game three, which is in Philadelphia at 3:37 PM, is currently undecided. Phillies will be starting Aaron Nola.