Atlanta Braves hit four home runs and win important series against Philadelphia Phillies

ATLANTA (AP) — Reynaldo López threw six strong innings and the Atlanta Braves hit four home runs in a 6-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.

López (7-2) lowered his league-leading ERA to 1.71, allowed just two hits, allowed three walks and had six strikeouts.

Adam Duvall, Jarred Kelenic and Matt Olson all hit five-run home runs in the second inning against Phillies rookie Michael Mercado, and Eli White added a solo home run in the sixth inning.

Mercado (1-1), making only his second career start, did not make it past the second inning, lasting just 1 2/3 innings and allowing five runs, five hits and three walks.

Kelenic was 1-for-3 with three RBIs and Duval was 3-for-4 with a double and a single plus his home run. White, who entered the game 0-for-7 since being called up from Triple-A Gwinnett, was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

The Braves have won two of three in the first two series of the season between the NL East rivals. The teams have seven games left to play in the regular season. The Phillies have eliminated the Braves in the playoffs in the last two postseasons.

Philadelphia relief pitcher Tyler Phillips made his major league debut and allowed one run in four innings. He struck out the first four Braves he faced and allowed White’s home run. Phillips allowed one run and three hits and struck out seven times.

The Braves loaded the bases with three walks in the first inning but didn’t score. That changed in the second inning when Duvall led off with a home run to left field. After singles by Orlando Arcia and White, Kelenic hit a three-run shot 427 feet to make it 4-0. Olson added a solo home run later in the inning.

Pierce Johnson hit Trea Turner in the helmet with a curveball in the eighth inning, but Turner stayed in the game.

NEXT

Phillies: Right-hander Zack Wheeler (9-4, 2.74) faces right-hander Bobby Miller (1-1, 6.12) of the Dodgers in the opener of a three-game series between the division leaders in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Braves: Left-hander Chris Sale (11-3, 2.71) will likely face Diamondbacks rookie Yilber Diaz, who will make his major league debut Monday in the opener of a four-game series in Arizona.

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