Spring Cleaning: Phillies sweep Braves to begin 2021 season
Zach Eflin was on the mound today as the Phillies looked to start off the 2021 season with a clean sweep of the Atlanta Braves. Eflin picked up right where Nola and Wheeler left off in the first two games. After 23 pitches to get the first three outs of the game, Eflin settled in, recording the next 12 outs with just 31 pitches. He finished the day throwing seven innings, allowing one run, one walk, and four hits while striking out eight.
The much anticipated 1-2-3 punch for the Phillies starting rotation didn’t disappoint during the opening series of 2021. Nola, Wheeler, and Eflin combined to throw 20 2/3 innings, allowing 11 hits, three earned runs, and one walk while striking out 24 Braves’ batters.
The Phillies’ bats would remain relatively quiet throughout today’s game. Through the first seven innings, the Phillies would strikeout 13 times. Andrew Knapp gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run to left field.
The Braves would snap an 18 2/3 innings scoreless streak in the top of the 7th inning when Travis d’Arnaud hit a hanging curveball courtesy of Zach Eflin for a solo home run to tie the game 1-1. Jose Alvarado would enter the game in relief of Eflin in the 8th inning. He threw a scoreless frame, allowing no hits and striking out two. Although I’m still not used to enjoying the Phillies bullpen, they have been stellar in the early goings this season.
After Hoskins and Harper both singled, Alec Bohm stepped to the plate with a runner in scoring position. Picking up where he left off last year, Bohm hit a single up the center, scoring Hoskins and giving the Phillies a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 8th inning.
Hector Neris would come in to close out the game in the 9th inning. Neris allowed back-to-back walks with two outs to Freddie Freeman and Marcell Ozuna before getting Johan Carmargo to fly out to Bryce Harper.
The Phillies swept the NL East favorite Atlanta Braves to start the 2021 season. You really can’t ask for anything better. They will host the New York Mets tomorrow night. Matt Moore will get the start.
The Official Didi Recap:
