The Atlanta Braves haven't had the best start to the 2025 season but they've been working hard to change that. Sean Murphy's return to the team helped propel them over the Phillies in the first game of the series. That seemed to have lifted the team's spirits as the offense has provided much more competitive at-bats since then.
Game two ended in heartbreak as Raisel Iglesias blew the save after a Trea Turner home run late in the game. The rubber match between the rivals gave fans all the emotion they could handle in a 4-2 extra-innings win on Thursday night.
Braves' Marcell Ozuna shattered the Phillies hopes of playing spoiler with massive walk off homer in extra-innings
Spencer Schwellenbach added to his NL Cy Young odds as he looked great against the Phillies over six innings. He allowed just one run (a Kyle Schwarber home run) with two walks and five strikeouts. His biggest moment came in the fifth inning with the bases loaded. Schwellenbach struck out Nick Castellanos (who struck out five times during the game) with a perfectly located slider to preserve the tie.
He then added one last impressive highlight, flashing his Gold Glove-caliber defense. Schwellenbach quickly got the ball and fired a perfect strike to second base to initiate the inning-ending double play. Unfortunately, he didn't get the win since it took extra innings after an almost three-hour rain delay for either team to score again.
The Phillies took the lead in the top of the 11th inning and things felt bleak as Jose Suarez walked in the go-ahead run.
Austin Riley decided the Braves weren't done yet as he laced an RBI double to right-center field. There was only one problem for Joe Ross and the Phillies, they had to face the powerful Marcell Ozuna. Not to be confused with his doppelgänger Marshall Ozuna who made an appearance on the FanDuel Sports broadcast.
Marcell Ozuna delivers the #walkoff homer in the 11th inning to win it for the @Braves! pic.twitter.com/fzLqMZ6GRX
— MLB (@MLB) April 11, 2025
Ozuna absolutely obliterated a slider for the walk-off win. The ball left the bat at 109 mph and traveled 413 feet into the left field seats. The fans that remained after the rain delay were treated to an incredible ending to a hard-fought game between hated rivals.
Atlanta's designated hitter is now batting .316/.509/.526 with two homers, seven RBI, 15 walks, 14 strikeouts, and a ridiculous 195 wRC+.
The Braves headed to Florida after the game to begin a three-game series against the Rays. Bryce Elder gets the start in the series opener and will oppose Taj Bradley.