Trea Turner hit two two-run homers off Max Fried, Aaron Nola won his 100th career game, and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves 8-6 on Friday night.
The Phillies, who lead the NL East, increased their advantage over second-place Atlanta to ten games with a victory in the weekend series opener.
Despite having three major hitters on the injured list (Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and J.T. Realmuto), the Phillies managed to get 15 hits.
“It’s what makes a good team,” Nola remarked.
Manager Rob Thomson commented: “It says a lot. Our front office has done an excellent job of developing that depth.”
Nola (10-4) stopped Atlanta’s first ten batters before allowing a one-out single to Ozzie Albies in the fourth inning. Austin Riley hit a two-run homer to centre field. Albies had three hits, including a home run, while Marcell Ozuna drove in three runs off José Alvarado in the eighth.
Turner, the shortstop who was named one of Philadelphia’s three National League All-Star Game starting on Wednesday, put on a power show that the Braves couldn’t match. Fans also voted for third baseman Alec Bohm and Harper as starters, although Harper’s left hamstring issue calls his All-Star status into question.
Turner hit his first home run off Fried (7-4) during the Phillies’ three-run fourth inning. Turner’s second two-run blast went 459 feet into the left field bleachers in the sixth inning, giving him his 16th career multi-homer game. It was the longest home run of his career.
“I knew I hit it good,” Turner said. “I didn’t know I hit it that far.”
Turner, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs barely 185 pounds, surprised Thomson with his power.
“He’s not the biggest guy on the planet and I don’t know how he hits the ball so far,” Thomson informed reporters.
Nola moved to 100-75 in his career. He allowed three runs and eight strikeouts over six innings.
Fried gave up five runs and a season-high 11 hits in six innings.
Three Atlanta errors resulted in two unearned runs in Philadelphia’s three-run seventh inning.
Jeff Hoffman threw a spotless ninth for his eighth save.
TRAINERS’ ROOM
Phillies: RHP Tyler Phillips’ contract was picked from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Thomson said Phillips adds depth to the bullpen, especially with rain predicted for the weekend. RHP Yunior Marte was optioned to Lehigh Valley, while RHP Luis F. Ortiz (right elbow UCL sprain) was placed on the 60-day injured list. Schwarber (left groin tightness) intends to run the bases Saturday. Harper is “not far behind,” according to Thomson.
Braves: SS Orlando Arcia returned to play after missing three games due to an abscessed tooth extraction. OF Forrest Wall was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to make room for Eli White, who was recalled and went 0 for 4 as the LF starter, striking out at the conclusion of the game. OF Ramón Laureano is still sidelined due to lower back soreness, leaving the squad one player short of a fully healthy active roster. The Braves signed OF. Eddie Rosario signed a minor league contract, and he tripled in his debut with Gwinnett. Rosario was released from Washington on Wednesday. Rosario, 32, played for Atlanta from 2021 to 2023 and was named the 2021 NLCS MVP. “We know what he’s capable of,” manager Brian Snitker explained.
UP NEXT
Atlanta rookie Spencer Schwellenbach (1-4, 5.68 ERA) will face Philadelphia left-hander Ranger Suárez (10-2, 2.27) on Saturday night, looking for his second win.
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