Field Level Media
Mar 28, 2019
Rhys Hoskins hit a grand slam, Maikel Franco homered and had three RBIs and the host Philadelphia Phillies cruised to a 10-4 win over the Atlanta Braves in a season-opening game Thursday.
Andrew McCutchen opened the scoring with a solo home run for the Phillies. Prized free agent Bryce Harper, who signed a 13-year, $330 million contract, went 0-for-3 with an intentional walk.
Jean Segura also had two hits for Philadelphia.
Phillies starter Aaron Nola (1-0) allowed two hits and one run in six innings. He had some control issues as he struck out eight and walked five.
Matt Joyce contributed a two-run home run for the Braves, who were a bit sloppy in the field with two errors.
Braves starter Julio Teheran (0-1) lasted five innings and gave up four hits and three runs while striking out seven before being lifted.
McCutchen opened the bottom of the first inning with a towering solo home run to center field for a 1-0 Phillies lead. It was the 13th career leadoff home run for McCutchen.
The Braves tied the score at 1 in the second when Nick Markakis hit an RBI single to score Ronald Acuna Jr. Markakis was thrown out trying to take second base.
Odubel Herrera put the Phillies ahead 2-1 in the fourth with a two-out RBI single to center, scoring Segura. Cesar Hernandez followed with an RBI single to left, scoring J.T. Realmuto for a 3-1 advantage.
In the sixth, Franco drilled a three-run homer to left off Braves reliever Shane Carle for a 6-1 lead.
The Braves sliced the lead to 6-3 when Joyce hit a pinch-hit two-run homer off Hector Neris with two outs in the seventh.
Philadelphia loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh and Hoskins responded with a grand slam off Luke Jackson for a commanding 10-3 advantage. It was the first career grand slam for Hoskins.
The Braves closed within 10-4 in the eighth on Acuna's RBI single to left.
--Field Level Media