Field Level Media
Sep 18, 2019
Philadelphia right-hander Zach Eflin finally found a way to beat Atlanta, pitching the visiting Phillies to a 4-1 victory over the Braves on Wednesday.
Eflin (9-12) didn't resemble the guy who entered the game with an 0-3 record and 11.57 ERA this season against the Braves. He worked seven innings and allowed one unearned run on five hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Over his last six starts, Eflin has a 2.23 ERA.
The victory kept Philadelphia (78-72) alive in the chase for the NL wild card. The Phillies handed the Braves their first loss in a multi-game series since dropping two to Kansas City July 23-24. The Phillies have won 10 of 18 games against Atlanta.
The Braves (93-60) have lost three in a row but still hold a nine-game lead over Washington in the NL East. Atlanta's magic number was reduced to two after Washington was beaten by St. Louis earlier in the afternoon.
Philadelphia's Jose Alvarez pitched a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts, and Hector Neris also struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth to earn his 28th save.
Atlanta's Julio Teheran (10-10) pitched five-plus innings and allowed four runs, three earned, on three hits, two walks and six strikeouts. In his last two starts, both against Philadelphia, the veteran has given up nine runs, eight earned, in nine innings. He is 0-3 against the Phillies this season.
The Braves scored a run in the second inning when Nick Markakis scored on Brian McCann's fielder's choice. Markakis had reached on a throwing error by second baseman Cesar Hernandez and went to third when left fielder Adam Haseley committed a fielding error.
The Phillies took the lead when Bryce Harper hit a two-run homer in the fourth. It was Harper's 32nd of the season and his 32nd career homer against the Braves.
Philadelphia added two runs in the sixth and chased Teheran from the game. Hernandez led off the inning with a solo homer, his 12th, and Jean Segura walked with the bases loaded to score J.T. Realmuto, who reached base on catcher's interference.
--Field Level Media