PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies' turn at bat in the seventh inning on Sunday looked like it was finished, at least in the view of the seven Atlanta players gathered by the dugout.
But, thanks to a challenge by the Phillies, they managed to get four more hits and score three more runs before the Braves could settle into the third-base dugout at Citizens Bank Park.
If anybody is searching for a little symbolism from a rough opening weekend for the Phillies, there it is.
A review of the play gave the Phillies a chance in the seventh, and they capitalized with four consecutive singles to finally win a game against the Braves, 5-4.
“That’s baseball,” said Alec Bohm, who delivered the go-ahead two-run single. “You think the inning's over, you relax a bit, and then luck comes our way. Sometimes that's all you need.”
The first-base umpire, Clint Vondrak, initially called a 6-4-3 double play on a hit by Johan Rojas, but then signaled that Rojas was safe at first, causing confusion for the Braves.
A video replay confirmed that the play was very close but the call was correct.
The Braves were called back onto the field and the Phillies' lineup changed. Kyle Schwarber hit a single up the middle, his second hit of the day off a left-handed pitcher. Trea Turner hit an 0-2 pitch through the right side of the field, bringing Rojas home to tie the game at 3 and allowing Schwarber to go from first to third.
After Turner stole second, Bohm hit a 3-2 pitch into left field, with the ball just getting past the diving Adam Duvall.
“I know Duvall is a good outfielder out there,” said Bohm. “I don’t know what people think of him, but I know from playing against him that he’s really good. I was definitely nervous.”
Rojas's hustle was crucial for everything that happened in the seventh, with manager Rob Thomson calling it “the biggest part of the game.” The fast centerfielder is still waiting for his first hit after going 4-for-43 in the postseason, but he still made an impact.
In the fifth, he was hit by a pitch while trying to bunt with two on and none out. Schwarber grounded into a double play but it brought home the Phillies' second run. Schwarber had hit a home run on Sale's second pitch, cutting the Braves' lead to 2-1.
In the seventh, Rojas's speed got him to first, and he ensured he scored even with Ronald Acuna Jr.'s strong throw on Turner's single.
“Those are the little things that can help you win baseball games,” Schwarber said. “Those are controllable things, an effort play right there, he gives great effort, extends the inning and good things happen for us.”
It supported five strong innings from Ranger Suarez. The left-handed pitcher walked Acuna and was beaten by Ozzie Albies on a low-and-in curveball that was hit out to left for a 2-0 Braves lead in the first inning. Suarez responded by retiring nine straight batters before Austin Riley hit a double in the fourth and scored on a Duvall single.
Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm threw scoreless innings, with the latter earning the win. Seranthony Dominguez faced trouble in the eighth, with Jarred Kelenic hitting a double and Albies bringing him home with a single. With runners on the corners, Gregory Soto only needed one pitch to make Matt Olson fly out to right.
Jose Alvarado pitched a strong ninth inning to secure the save and help the Phillies end their losing streak.
“It’s always satisfying to get your first win of the year,” Thomson stated. “The way we lost the first two games was disappointing. Falling behind 2-0 in the first inning again can be disheartening. Our team kept fighting and achieved victory.”
