The Philadelphia Phillies finished up their series against the Atlanta Braves with a 2-1 win behind a pair of runs in the fifth inning and another dominant effect from a starting pitcher.
The win gives the Phillies a 49-25 record and a 1.5-game lead in the National League East after the New York Mets were swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend. Philadelphia won 2-of-3 games this weekend from divisional-rival Atlanta, including a 13-0 beatdown on Friday night.
Suarez leads Phillies
Phillies starter Ranger Suarez limited Atlanta to four hits and an earned run while striking out eight Braves over seven innings to pick up the victory, his seventh of the 2025 season. It was his fifth straight appearance with at least seven innings.
“Ranger’s just that finesse guy,”Ricky Bottalico, an analyst for NBC Sports Philadelphia, said on network’s postgame show. “He’s not going to break a lot of pains of glass, but he will paint like a Picasso.”
In the second inning, Atlanta’s Sean Murphy sent a ball over the tall green wall in center for a 1-0 lead. It was one of the few mistakes Suarez made over his 96-pitch outing on Sunday afternoon. Suarez responded to the solo homer with a pair of ground outs to get out of the inning.
Philadelphia executed a simple plan to generate two runs in the fifth inning by playing team baseball. Bryson Stott singled up the middle to lead off the frame. Otto Kemp drove a double down the left field line which scored a hustling Stott to tie the game, 1-1. Brandon Marsh laid down a sacrifice bunt that advanced Kemp to third base.
Trea Turner’s sacrifice fly allowed Kemp to complete the 90-foot journey home for a 2-1 Phillies lead. “It was ABC baseball,” Bottalico said as the highlight packed rolled on-screen. “It’s how baseball should be played.”
Suarez confused Atlanta for two more innings before turning the ball over to the bullpen. Orion Kerkering allowed a hit, but struck out three batters in the eighth inning. Matt Strahm earned his fifth save, but he did make Phillies fans sweat a little bit in the ninth inning.
Ozzie Albies singled and Eli White walked to create a scoring opportunity for the hometown Braves. Strahm was charged with a wild pitch allowing both runners to advance to second and third base, respectively. Stuart Fairchild sent a sky-high fly out to Marsh in center that resulted in high-fives and bro hugs for the Phillies after the 27th out was recorded.
Philadelphia returns home to Citizens Bank Park for a six-game home stand. The San Diego Padres (45-38) visit for three games before the Cincinnati Reds (44-40) arrive for the holiday festivities over the July 4th weekend.
Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
