Phillies pitchers dominate again, sweep Braves on Bohm hit

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Alec Bohm hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, Zach Eflin gave Philadelphia another strong start and the Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the defending NL East champion Atlanta Braves with a 2-1 win Sunday.

Philadelphia’s pitching staff was the story of the season-opening series as the starting trio of Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler and Eflin surrendered only three runs, 11 hits and one walk in 20 2/3 innings against an Atlanta lineup that led the majors in 2020 with 556 hits.

The Phillies bullpen, which posted a 7.06 ERA in 2020, didn't yield a run in 7 1/3 innings in the set.

Eflin went seven strong innings, allowing only four hits and one walk while striking out eight. The lone mistake he made was hanging a curveball to Travis d’Arnaud, who pierced the winds blowing into Citizens Bank Park with a tying, solo homer in the seventh that ended Atlanta’s 19-inning scoring drought.

Philadelphia regained the lead in the eighth as Rhys Hoskins, Bryce Harper and Bohm hit consecutive singles off Chris Martin (0-1). Hoskins scored just ahead of the throw from center fielder Cristian Pache.

Atlanta starter Ian Anderson wiggled in and out of trouble early, striking out seven hitters while allowing four hits. Andrew Knapp homered in the second.

Hector Neris recorded his first save, dodging trouble caused by two-out walks to Freddie Freeman and Marcell Ozuna. D’Arnaud flied out to end it.

CROWD SOURCING

After playing in front of 8,500 people in the first two games of the homestand, the Phillies received permission from the City of Philadelphia to increase attendance on Sunday to almost 11,000 fans – roughly 25 percent of the attendance at Citizens Bank Park.

The club announced a crowd of 10,773 for Sunday’s finale with social...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Phillies-pitchers-dominate-again-sweep-Braves-on-16076309.php