PHILADELPHIA — Atlanta’s Chris Sale struck out seven batters in as many innings to outduel Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sánchez in a matchup of two of Major League Baseball’s best left-handers, and the Braves took advantage of an error to beat the Phillies 3-1 on Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park.
It clinched a series win with one contest to go in the three-game set between Atlanta, the team curently atop the National League East standings, and Philadelphia, the division’s reigning champion. The Braves, who won 9-0 in Friday’s series opener, have yet to drop a series this season but are still seeking their first sweep.
Mauricio Dubón had a pair of RBIs on Saturday for the Braves, who have won four games in a row and eight of their past 10 to improve to 14-7.
Felix Reyes homered in his first at-bat in his MLB debut for the Phillies (8-12), who have dropped nine of their past 12 games. Reyes became the sixth Philadelphia player to homer in his first at-bat, driving a 94 mph four-seamer from Sale into the seats in right field in the second inning.
The 37-year-old Sale (4-1), a nine-time MLB All-Star and the 2024 NL Cy Young Award winner, gave up five hits and walked one batter.
Robert Suarez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save of the year.
Atlanta scored three unearned runs in the third inning against Sánchez (2-2).
After striking out the first two batters in the frame, he surrendered a single to Drake Baldwin. Ozzie Albies hit a grounder to second base, but second baseman Edmundo Sosa could not handle the ball for an error. Matt Olson walked to load the bases. Austin Riley hit a dribbler in front of the mound, but Sánchez slipped trying to field the ball and Baldwin scored to tie the game.
Dubón’s bloop single to center gave Atlanta a 3-1 lead.
Sánchez allowed eight hits while striking out eight batters and walking one in six innings.
Olson extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a seventh-inning double.
The scheduled starting pitchers for Sunday night’s series finale are right-handers Grant Holmes (1-1, 3.32 ERA) for Atlanta and rookie Andrew Painter (1-0, 3.77) for Philadelphia.