Rookie Schwellenbach shines as Braves cruise to 5-1 win over Phillies on home runs from Ozuna, Albies

ATLANTA (AP) — Rookie Spencer Schwellenbach allowed just one run in six innings, Marcel Ozuna and Ozzie Albies hit two-run homers and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-1 on Saturday night.

Schwellenbach (2-4) outscored Ranger Suarez (10-3) by allowing seven hits and no walks. The 24-year-old right-hander had six strikeouts after allowing a combined eight runs in two straight losses.

Schwellenbach said beating the MLB-best and National League East-leading Phillies was a highlight.

“Especially turning it around from last week, coming in and making some adjustments and hammering the strike zone,” Schwellenbach said.

Manager Brian Snitker said Schwellenbach’s win “was very, very impressive right off the bat.”

Suarez allowed five runs in five innings in his third straight start in which he allowed four or more runs.

The Braves took a 3-0 lead off Suarez in the first inning. Jarred Kelenic led off with a double to right field and scored on a single by Albies. With two outs, Ozuna’s two-run home run splashed into the pool behind the center-field wall. The home run was Ozuna’s 23rd of the season and second in two nights against the Phillies.

Albies extended the lead to 5-1 in the fifth with his a two-run home run off the coast of Suarez.

A night after hitting two home runs and driving in four runs in Philadelphia wins 8-6 In the series opener, Trea Turner singled in the third inning to score Johan Rojas for the Phillies’ only run.

Braves Hall of Fame Manager Bobby Cox, 83, made a rare appearance at Truist Park and received a standing ovation during his introduction before the fourth inning. Cox, who suffered a stroke in 2019, stood and greeted the fans. His wife, Pam, became emotional as the ovation continued.

Cox visited the Braves locker room before the game.

“It was amazing,” Ozuna said. “I had never met him. I didn’t know if he knew me, but it was really cool for me to meet him like that. He’s a special guy for the organization.”

The start of the match was delayed 31 minutes by rain.

TRAINERS’ ROOM

Phillies: Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (left groin strain) and 1B Bryce Harper (left hamstring strain) ran Saturday “and both did pretty well,” manager Rob Thomson said. “Schwarber was really good. So we’ll run Harper again (Sunday) and see where we’re at.” Thomson said Schwarber could return from the disabled list Tuesday. Thomson wasn’t ready to say Harper could be released that early. “I don’t want to say that right now,” Thomson said. “We’ll know more tomorrow.”

Braves: Outfielder Ramón Laureano (lower back soreness) was not placed on the disabled list but remained unavailable, even as a pinch hitter. “No, I can’t run, I can’t hit,” manager Brian Snitker said. “No.” … Pitching coach Rick Kranitz is away from the team to be with his wife, who has health issues, in Arizona. “Family is the No. 1 thing,” Snitker said. The Braves open a series at Arizona on Monday. “Hopefully we’ll see him,” Snitker said.

FOLLOWING

Philadelphia rookie Michael Mercado (1-0, 1.50 ERA), coming off a win against the Chicago Cubs in his first major league start, will face Atlanta right-hander Reynaldo López (6-2, 1.83 ERA) in the series finale Sunday.

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