The Braves finally got through Zack Wheeler with a two-out rally in the sixth inning to score three runs and eventually tie the NLDS. Wheeler and Kyle Wright were both excellent. The latter put up sixth scoreless innings against the Phillies, allowing two hits while striking out six on 83 pitches. The righty relied heavily on his curve Wednesday night and gave the Braves bullpen a chance to close things down, which they did.
Atlanta sent out AJ Minter for the seventh, Raisel Iglesias for the eighth, and Kenley Jansen for the ninth — all were perfect. The story of the night was the Braves ability to push runs across the plate without the long ball. The Philly ace threw six innings, and even when he did give up runs, it was the Braves just putting it in play, not them barreling the ball.
In the sixth, Wheeler retired the first two batters and then beamed Ronald Acuña Jr. with a 97 mph fastball on his elbow. Acuña would stay in the game after a lengthy discussion with trainers. Afterward, Dansby Swanson walked, and Matt Olson singled to bring Acuña home. Austin Riley then had a swinging bunt that scored Swanson. And finally, Travis d’Arnaud singled on a ground ball up the middle to bring Olson home with the third and final run of the game.
Following the game, Brian Snitker gave members of the media fantastic news — Acuña had no structural damage in his elbow.
Snit on Acuna: "best thing that happened is he scored. We had a little time to get him downstairs and check him out. The longer he was there, the more he started getting feeling back. No structural damage" #Braves
— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) October 13, 2022
Moreover, Acuña gave an exhilarating quote, which exudes his toughness and desire to play in the postseason.
Ronald Acuña on the HBP: "To be honest, I was hurting pretty bad, but there was no way I was going to get out of that game."
How does it feel now?
"We won, everything feels good," he said.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) October 13, 2022
The series is now tied 1-1; the NLDS is essentially a best-of-three affair with the Phillies holding home-field advantage. Philadelphia will have Aaron Nola on the bump Friday for Game 3, but Snitker has refused to name a starter. It could be Spencer Strider, whose health is in question, or Charlie Morton.
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David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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