Phillies shutout by Braves 3-0 in NLDS game 2
The Phillies were held to just three hits by Braves pitching in a 3-0 shutout loss in game 2 of the NLDS.
Braves Beat Phillies; NLDS TIED 1-1
- Winning Pitcher:Â Kyle Wright (1-0, 0.00)
- Losing Pitcher: Zack Wheeler (0-1, 2.19)
- Save: Kenley Jansen (1, 0.00)
In game 2 of the NLDS the Phillies found themselves in a classic duel between two of the best pitchers in the National League this season. Both Kyle Wright and Zack Wheeler effectively shut down the opposing offenses until the 6th inning when it was Zack Wheeler who would make the first mistake.
Entering the 6th inning, Wheeler was cruising, effectively limiting his pitch count, and had only given up a lone single to Ronald Acuña Jr in the 4th inning. But everything began to unravel for the Phillies and Wheeler during Acuña’s next at-bat with 2-outs. Wheeler tried to jam Acuña on the inside part of the plate but ended up hitting him in the elbow putting a runner of a first base.
After granting a rare walk to Dansby Swanson in the next at bat, Matt Olson and Austin Riley both singled driving in a run apiece. Riley’s RBI to make it 2-0 came on an infield single that forced Wheeler to field the ball while falling toward third base and ended without the pitcher attempting a throw.
Travis d’arnaud added an RBI single in the next at-bat to push the Braves lead to 3-0, a seemingly insurmountable lead considering how well Kyle Wright was throwing.
The Braves bullpen of AJ Minter, Raisel Inglesias, and Kenley Jansen shutout down the Phillies offense after Wright exited following 6 shutout innings. To be honest it seemed like the Phillies were content to head back home to Philadelphia with the series tied 1-1.
Obviously they were trying to win, but I can blame them for failing to stage a miraculous comeback for the 2nd time in a week. After finishing up the regular season with a 10-game road trip, this team hasn’t slept in their own beds or seen their families for weeks.
No need to hang our collective heads after tonight’s loss my friends. The Phillies effectively are now locked in a best-of-3 series, in which they have the home field advantage with the next 2 games to be played at Citizen’s Bank Park.
Adding to the optimism is the fact that the Phillies hottest pitcher Aaron Nola has a chance to propel the Phillies to within one game of the NLCS when he takes the mound on Friday at CBP.
With the Phillies and Eagles playing in huge games this weekend, South Philadelphia is sure to be out of control. By Monday morning the Phillies could be in the NLCS and the Eagles could be 6-0 with a win over the Cowboys.
Pray.
Up Next for the Phillies
Postseason baseball is finally coming back to Philadelphia after 11 long years! The Phillies will take on the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the NLDS with the first pitch scheduled for 4:37 pm EST.
FS1 will carry the broadcast of the game.
Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25) will take the mound facing off against TBD (0-0, 0.00)
Wheeler strikes out Matt Olson in the 1st inning with a nasty curveball.
Bryce Harper doubles in the 2nd inning, but the Phils would fail to drive him in.
J.T. Realmuto reaches base with a single off Kyle Wright in the 4th inning.
Zack Wheeler gets Matt Olson swinging for the second out in the 4th inning.
Kyle Schwarber makes a running catch against the left field wall to take away a hit from Michael Harris II. Were still scoreless in Atlanta.
Here is another look at the Acuna hit by pitch. Looks like it went off his elbow. He will stay in the game
After the hit-by-pitch and walk, Rhys Hoskins cant make the play at first base allowing a run to score on a Matt Olson single.
1-0 Braves
Austin Riley barely makes contact with the ball but puts it in the perfect spot. Thats an infield single.
2-0 Braves
Travis d’Arnaud knocks in the third run of the 6th inning to extend the lead for the Braves.
3-0 Braves
Austin Riley makes an unreal defensive play in foul territory to retire Bryson Stott in the 8th inning. Geeze.
Mandatory Photo Credit: (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
