Braves hit 3 homers to take wild card from Phillies 6-2

Michael Harris II hit a three-run homer in the first inning, Chris Sale came out of the bullpen on one day of rest to get the final four outs and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 on Thursday night in the decisive Game 3 of their National League Wild Card Series.

Surprise starter Ray Kerr threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings for Atlanta, and Ozzie Albies launched a two-run homer in the fourth. Matt Olson added a solo shot in the seventh as the Braves advanced to a best-of-five Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Braves took a postseason series for the first time since winning the 2021 World Series and earned their first playoff series win against the Phillies.

Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola was pulled after allowing three runs in 1 2/3 innings. Nola walked Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson with one out in the first before giving up the homer to Harris.

Kerr made his postseason debut in only his fourth career start. Braves manager Walt Weiss wanted a left-hander to face Phillies left-handed hitters Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper at least once. Kerr allowed only one hit — to Schwarber in the first — and one walk — to Schwarber in the fourth. 

Sale, the starter in Atlanta’s 5-3 win in Tuesday’s series opener, struck out Harper to end the eighth and closed out the win in the ninth by striking out Bryan De La Cruz and pinch-hitter Otto Kemp.

The Braves will play at Dodger Stadium on Saturday in the opening game of their Division Series against the two-time defending World Series champions.


(AP Photo Brynn Anderson)