There’s no better way to start a new season with a win, and the Atlanta Braves got it. Convincingly.
The Braves embarrassed the Philadelphia Phillies on their home turf, Citizens Bank Stadium, the same stadium where the Phillies celebrated beating the Braves in the NLDS. Today, the home team had the last laugh at the Philies’ expense on their field, whether the booing fans liked it or not.
The @Braves put up 7 runs in the 8th to pull out the #OpeningDay win. pic.twitter.com/C8NSCNbOyd
— MLB (@MLB) March 29, 2024
The Phillies tacked on two runs in the fifth inning, thanks to a Brandon Marsh two-run homer, and held the Braves scoreless in the sixth inning.
The Braves got to work in the seventh inning. Orlando Arcia hit a double, then Adam Duvall hit a double that plated two runs. In the eighth inning, Matt Olson doubles, then Michael Harris II hits a single that gives the Braves their first lead. Ronald Acuna Jr. took advantage of the Phillies loading the bases and a parade of Braves base runners would cross home plate, pushing the Braves’ lead to nine. The Braves would go on to win their first game of the new season.
Bryce Johnson, the closer, got the win, with two strikeouts to seal the win. Starting pitcher Spencer Strider got eight strikeouts and a 3.60 earned run average for his time on the mound.
Strider didn’t mind the raucous Philly crowd who wasted no time booing the visiting Braves, but was just as quick to leave the stadium when it was apparent that the Braves would win this game.
“They don’t boo nobodies, that’s what I’ve been told,” said Strider after the game. “I like playing here. It’s a fun place to play. They have passionate fans.”
“When you go somewhere and you get booed, it feels good, especially when you are the road team,” said Braves catcher Travis d’ Arnauld to MLB.com.
Unfortunately, catcher Sean Murphy could miss a couple of week’s games due to a left oblique tightness that occurred today when he swung and missed a pitch. d’Arnauld will take his place temporarily, and Chadwick Tromp will come from Triple-A Gwinnett to be on the Braves’ active roster.
This is the first of a three-game series with the Phillies. Game two is tomorrow at 4:05 PM. Game three is at 1:35 pm on Sunday.