<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/B2578kOurHrju2nvSi1-X-IBkAk=/0x0:3500x2333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73556823/2169658923.0.jpg">
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
The Braves were simply bested in every facet tonight, except for the most impressive home run robbery, courtesy of Michael Harris. The Braves were hoping to take game three of the four game series in Philly behind Max Fried, in a premium pitching matchup with Zach Wheeler.
The pitching did indeed dominate the game early, with a few scattered baserunners, but no rallies or runs early on. Fried blinked first, allowing an absolute bomb to Edmundo Sosa of all people to lead off the third inning. The Braves’ first real chance came with two outs in the fifth, after Gio Urshela and Whit Merrifield strung two singles together. Jorge Soler struck out looking on two pitches off the outside corner that appeared to be borderline strikes at best, snuffing out that opportunity. Fried benefitted from double-plays in the fourth and fifth to keep things scoreless, but never seemed out of control regardless.
Matt Olson got a hold of one with one out in the sixth and hit it just over the centerfield wall, but unfortunately Rojas put his glove over the wall as well, in a true home run robbery, maintaining a 1-0 Philly lead. Trea Turner also hit a ball over the wall in the bottom of the sixth, but there was no glove that could catch this one as it sailed into the stands to make it a 2-0 Philly lead. Michael Harris robbed another homer in stunning fashion, as Fried pitched into the seventh. If the game was decided on which home run robbery was more impressive, Harris would have given Atlanta the win.
Michael Harris II is unreal. Just unreal.This is one of the best home run robberies you will see. Austin Hays was in disbelief. He had to crack a smile and laugh, because this was ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/yuc46atOc6— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) September 1, 2024
A walk and a double to the bottom of the Philly order did bring that third run home for Philadelphia, however, as the Phillies continued to add onto their lead. It was not a particularly strong outing for Fried, walking four and only striking out four, allowing three homer-worthy batted balls (only two of which converted), but did give length by pitching seven innings, even though he perhaps should not have been allowed to. The Braves offense continued to scuffle, as a two out Soler single failed to amount to anything.
Bryce Harper just missed a dagger homer in the eighth, as Jesse Chavez managed a fortunate 1-2-3 inning. Michael Harris reached in the ninth, but that was the only baserunner Atlanta could manage.
There wasn’t much to this game. Zach Wheeler was on his A-game, Max Fried was not. The Phillies offense hit the ball better than the Braves. Matt Olson had the only two truly well-hit balls of the evening, both of which fell for outs.
We will be back for game 4 tomorrow, as Atlanta really needs to win that one to stay in the division race. Spencer Schwellenbach will face Aaron Nola at 7:10 PM ET on ESPN.
<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/B2578kOurHrju2nvSi1-X-IBkAk=/0x0:3500x2333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73556823/2169658923.0.jpg">
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
The Braves were simply bested in every facet tonight, except for the most impressive home run robbery, courtesy of Michael Harris. The Braves were hoping to take game three of the four game series in Philly behind Max Fried, in a premium pitching matchup with Zach Wheeler.
The pitching did indeed dominate the game early, with a few scattered baserunners, but no rallies or runs early on. Fried blinked first, allowing an absolute bomb to Edmundo Sosa of all people to lead off the third inning. The Braves’ first real chance came with two outs in the fifth, after Gio Urshela and Whit Merrifield strung two singles together. Jorge Soler struck out looking on two pitches off the outside corner that appeared to be borderline strikes at best, snuffing out that opportunity. Fried benefitted from double-plays in the fourth and fifth to keep things scoreless, but never seemed out of control regardless.
Matt Olson got a hold of one with one out in the sixth and hit it just over the centerfield wall, but unfortunately Rojas put his glove over the wall as well, in a true home run robbery, maintaining a 1-0 Philly lead. Trea Turner also hit a ball over the wall in the bottom of the sixth, but there was no glove that could catch this one as it sailed into the stands to make it a 2-0 Philly lead. Michael Harris robbed another homer in stunning fashion, as Fried pitched into the seventh. If the game was decided on which home run robbery was more impressive, Harris would have given Atlanta the win.
Michael Harris II is unreal. Just unreal.This is one of the best home run robberies you will see. Austin Hays was in disbelief. He had to crack a smile and laugh, because this was ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/yuc46atOc6— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) September 1, 2024
A walk and a double to the bottom of the Philly order did bring that third run home for Philadelphia, however, as the Phillies continued to add onto their lead. It was not a particularly strong outing for Fried, walking four and only striking out four, allowing three homer-worthy batted balls (only two of which converted), but did give length by pitching seven innings, even though he perhaps should not have been allowed to. The Braves offense continued to scuffle, as a two out Soler single failed to amount to anything.
Bryce Harper just missed a dagger homer in the eighth, as Jesse Chavez managed a fortunate 1-2-3 inning. Michael Harris reached in the ninth, but that was the only baserunner Atlanta could manage.
There wasn’t much to this game. Zach Wheeler was on his A-game, Max Fried was not. The Phillies offense hit the ball better than the Braves. Matt Olson had the only two truly well-hit balls of the evening, both of which fell for outs.
We will be back for game 4 tomorrow, as Atlanta really needs to win that one to stay in the division race. Spencer Schwellenbach will face Aaron Nola at 7:10 PM ET on ESPN.
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