Alex McFarlane gives up game-tying three-run homer as Braves top Phillies in NL East setback
Despite Aaron Nola having a solid start and Kyle Schwarber and Derek Hill tacking on homers, the Phillies' eighth inning collapse sunk them back five games out of first place in the NL East.
There’s something about a rookie who throws 100 mph that thrills a jam-packed crowd. In September, amid a tightening pennant race, it can overstimulate even the public-address announcer.
Over to you, Dan Baker.
“Now pitching for the Phillies ... number 71 ... Aaaalex McFaaaaaaarlane!”
To be fair, there was juice in Citizens Bank Park as the eighth inning began Sunday. Aaron Nola got not one, not two, not three but five outs to hold a one-run lead in the seventh before the Phillies tacked on homers by Derek Hill and Kyle Schwarber. They were six outs from shaving the Braves’ division lead to three games.
» READ MORE: ‘He’s been so key for us’: Is Jhoan Duran having the best season ever by a Phillies closer?
Baker raised his voice to meet the moment.
If only McFarlane could have.
Instead, making his 11th major-league appearance, the 25-year-old righty gave up back-to-back one-out hits and a game-tying three-run homer to arms-flapping, stutter-stepping Ronald Acuña Jr. to a chorus of boos that took the air out of the Phillies’ balloon.
The Braves scored in the ninth on Ozzie Albies’ leadoff double and Austin Riley’s triple against Jhoan Duran, and the Phillies lost, 5-4, to sink back to five games out of first place in the National League East.
As usual, the Phillies made it interesting in their final at-bat, with Bryson Stott lining a leadoff single and reaching third base with one out. But Bryan De La Cruz lined out and pinch-hitting Edmundo Sosa struck out.
Here, then, is the state of play in the NL East: By taking two of the first three in a four-game holiday weekend series, the Braves are assured of leaving town with no less than a four-game lead.
The teams will meet for three games next weekend in Atlanta. But the Braves also own a potential tiebreaker by clinching the season series.
And so, it appears the Phillies’ best path to the playoffs is the wild card, where they remain in good shape with a five-game lead. They’re also one game behind the Cubs for the top wild card, which brings a home series in the best-of-three initial round.
Oh, but just think of what might have been if not for the latest from Acuña, Public Enemy No. 1 these days in Philadelphia baseball.
The Phillies capitalized on a miscue to seize a 2-0 lead in the first inning. A throwing error by Braves shortstop Mauricio Dubón helped create a two-on, none-out rally. Luis Arraez lifted a sacrifice fly before Bohm delivered an RBI double.
» READ MORE: ‘He’s been so key for us’: Is Jhoan Duran having the best season ever by a Phillies closer?
Nola, meanwhile, set down the first 10 batters before allowing a one-out double to Acuña in the fourth. It wasn’t until the sixth that he gave up a run on a one-out walk and a sacrifice fly.
With Nola’s pitch count under control, interim manager Don Mattingly sent him back out for the seventh inning against the middle of the Braves’ order. And with one out, Dubón doubled on a ball that Bryce Harper lost in the sun in right field.
Then, with two outs, the sun blinded Bohm on a foul pop down the first-base line.
But Nola regrouped to strike out Sean Murphy and hold the 2-1 lead. As he walked off the mound and reached out with his right hand to have it checked, the umpire almost had to get in line.
After Nola got not one, not two, not three, but five outs, his teammates didn’t wait to get back in the dugout to express their gratitude. Bohm, in particular, offered a hearty pat on Nola’s chest.
