MLB: The Braves fall big to the Phillies and lose their three-game winning streak
Atlanta, Georgia - The Braves were embarrassed at home as the Phillies came in and stole a win a big way, snapping Atlanta's three-game winning streak.
The Phillies put on a clinic Friday night, dominating their division rivals and silencing a relatively packed stadium as they steamrolled the Braves 12-2.
Cheered by a near-capacity crowd for the first time as the SunTrust Stadium returned to 100% attendance, the Braves gave up six runs in the first inning, part of which was a three-run homer blasted by Odúbel Herrera (29).
That inning alone pulled Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton out of the game, his shortest stint in a game this season. Atlanta managed to put a run on the board in the second, but the Phillies weren't done yet.
Philadelphia slowly added to their lead through the rest of the game, piling up a total of 16 hits in the game. They had one last surge with a three-run eighth inning, to put the game way out of reach, for the Braves.
Zach Eflin got the win on the mound for Philly, allowing both Atlanta runs, but still managing to strike out eight men through six and two-thirds innings. Jean Segura had four hits, driving in two runs. And J.T. Realmuto had three hits of his own, including a two-run shot in the eighth.
For the Braves, Dansby Swanson went 2-for-3, scoring both of his team's runs, and an RBI. Marcell Ozuna also had a couple of hits, but couldn't bring home any runs.
Both teams link up again in Atlanta on Saturday for the second of a three-game set.
Around the league
In Baltimore, the Red Sox outlasted the Orioles 6-2, while the Nationals took advantage of the Yankees 11-4. The Cubs just barely got their fourth-straight win by beating the Pirates 3-2, while the Mets squeaked by the Diamondbacks 3-2 in extra innings.
Wade Miley pitched this season's fourth no-hitter as the Reds shut out the Indians 3-0. The Marlins now have their fourth win in a row, beating the Brewers 6-1. And the Twins snapped a three-game skid with a 7-3 win over the Tigers.
Down in Texas, the Mariners scored late to get away with a 5-4 win over the Rangers, while the White Sox shut out the Royals 3-0. The Cardinals earned a shut out of their own, beating the Rockies 5-0. And the Astros got a big win at home over the Blue Jays 10-4.
The Angels avoided a six-game skid, by beating the Dodgers 9-2. The Athletics got a walk-off win over the Rays 2-1, and the Padres came up short to the Giants 5-4.
On Saturday afternoon, the Nats and Yanks are back at it again in the Bronx, while the Dodgers look to snap a four-game losing streak as they take on the Angels.
Cover photo: IMAGO / UPI Photo