ATLANTA — Kyle Wright, major league baseball’s greatest pitcher this season, was brilliant for six innings as the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 on Wednesday to tie the second-round streak at 1-1.
Incessant rain delayed the first pitch for nearly three hours, with Wright allowing just two hits. He fared better than counterpart Zack Wheeler, who allowed three runs and four hits over six innings. The Braves found a flaw in Wheeler’s play in the sixth, scoring his three points there.
The defending World Series champion lost Game 1 7–6.
Wright, a former first-round pick, began the season with a 2–8 major league record. He completely turned things around with 21 wins and 5 losses, three more games than any other pitcher in major league baseball.
“I worked on many aspects, but it is above all a question of belief”, he explained of his successes.
AJ Minter, Raicel Iglesias and Kenley Johnson finished the match with one inning each. Johnson got the save.
Philadelphia finished the game with only three hits.
Matt Olson, Austin Riley and Travis d’Arnaud drove in the Braves’ runs on singles. Atlanta needed just four hits to win.
Game 3 is Friday at Citizens Bank Park; The Phillies would play there for the first time since September 25 (a regular season loss to the Braves).
Manager Rob Thomson said, “Winning every other game here should give the guys some energy when they get back to our passionate fans.”
The Phillies have played 14 consecutive road games. This is their first playoff appearance since 2011.
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Right-hander Aaron Nola (11–13, 3.25 ERA) would start for the Phillies in Game 3.
The Braves haven’t announced their choice yet, but we expect Charlie Morton or Spencer Strider, two right-handers.