The Atlanta Braves face a tough series with the Phillies in town for a three-game set. With how things have gone this season, it's right for fans to be worried that the bad vibes will continue.
It sure seemed that way as the Phillies scored a run in the first inning off of Chris Sale. That's more than enough for Zach Wheeler to cruise to a victory. It looked like the odds were in his favor as Marcell Ozuna was robbed of a game-tying home run for the third out of the bottom of the first.
Sale kept the Phillies off the board in the top of the second and this set the stage for Sean Murphy to remind Braves fans what they were missing. Murphy recently returned to the roster after being out with a cracked rib.
Sean Murphy absolutely demolished a Zack Wheeler sweeper for his first home run of the 2025 season
Austin Riley reached when neither Phillies outfielder caught the ball in left-center field. Jarred Kelenic then worked a walk in one of his best at-bats of the season. This brought Murphy to the plate with a chance to get the team on the board.
Murph absolutely destroyed a hanging sweeper and deposited a 401-foot, three-run homer into the left field seats. This put Atlanta up 3-1 and showed why the Braves wanted to make sure he was healthy before returning to action.
Welcome back, MURPH!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/wWCCAcTEmE
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 8, 2025
It felt like the Braves' backstop wasn't able to get fully healthy last season and that seemed to hurt him offensively. But that swing shows he is completely healthy and ready to contribute.
While the Phillies stormed back and took a 4-3 lead in the top of the third, it's very encouraging to see Murphy homer in his first MLB at bat. Hopefully, he's able to get back to his All-Star form and provide the team with meaningful at-bats all season long.