In Game 2 against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Atlanta Braves faced a challenging situation after being shut out in Game 1. The Phillies handed the start to Zach Wheeler, hoping for another strong pitching performance. Wheeler lived up to expectations by recording ten strikeouts, allowing only three hits, and maintaining an ERA of 2.84 in a little over six innings.
However, the Braves were not ready to concede defeat. In the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs, Ronald Acuna Jr. was walked, putting a runner on base. Ozzie Albies followed with a single to right field, and a fielding error by Phillies shortstop Trae Turner allowed Acuna Jr. to score, putting the Braves on the scoreboard and cutting the lead to 4-1.
The bottom of the seventh inning saw further Braves resurgence. Matt Olson singled to deep center, setting the stage for Travis d’Arnaud to hit a two-run home run with one out. This offensive outburst chased Wheeler off the mound and brought the score to 4-3 in favor of the Phillies.
With just two innings remaining and the series on the line for the Braves, Acuna Jr. was hit by a pitch to earn a walk with one out. Albies grounded out but advanced Acuna Jr. to second base. During Austin Riley's at-bat, Acuna Jr. stole third base before Riley, who had been 0-3 at the plate until then, hit a two-run home run to deep left field, giving the Braves a 5-4 lead.
In the ninth inning, the Braves tried to secure the win during the Phillies last at bat. A.J. Minter started the ninth but was pulled after he walked Phillies superstar Bryce Harper. Raisel Iglesias was then called upon for the save. With a runner on first, and J.T. Realmuto flying out, right fielder Nick Castellanos hit a fly ball out to center field where Michael Harris II chases it down at the wall for the second out of the inning. But wait, there's more! Harris II was able to throw it to the infield, where the ball misses second baseman Ozzie Albies but Game 2 hero Austin Riley was there to scoop the ball and throw a laser to Matt Olson at first base to catch Bryce Harper trying to get back on the bag, for an incredible double play to end the game.
In a conversation with 92.9 The Game baseball reporter Grant McAuley, Rob Tribble asked if Max Fried had brought some past playoff baggage with him on the mound in Game 2. Fried had given up six hits, three earned runs, and had an ERA of 6.75 in just four innings pitched. McAuley believed it was more a result of normal postseason pressure, coupled with some frustration from minor injuries, such as a finger blister, that had affected Fried leading up to the playoffs.
The excitement continues as the Braves are set to face the Phillies at Citizen Bank Park as the series swings to Philadelphia on Wednesday, October 11th, at 5:07 pm. Fans can catch all of their Atlanta Braves postseason coverage on 92.9 The Game, on Audacy.com, or through the Audacy app.