Atlanta Braves’ Brandon Phillips Walk-Off Against Marlins For Second Time

For the 2nd consecutive day, Brandon Phillips plays hero in walk-off fashion, hitting a single through a 5-men infield to beat the Marlins 5-4.

Brandon Phillips is having a great season so far for his hometown team, the Atlanta Braves and came in clutch again today.

For the 2nd day in a row, Phillips drove in the winning run , this time an inning earlier but still just as glorious. The Braves had a four RBI 7th inning while Mike Foltynewicz pitched through 7 innings, giving up 2 earned runs while striking out 4 for a non-decision.

There was some tension created in the 2nd when Jose Urena hit 2 consecutive Braves batters with 1 on and no outs: getting Matt Adams on the knee and Kurt Suzuki on the ribs. This loaded the bases, however the Marlins nabbed Matt Kemp at home on a ground ball from Dansby Swanson. Rio Ruiz then lined out before Foltynewicz struck out to end it.

Foltynewicz, after getting rocked by the Nationals in 3.1 innings on Monday, was pitching well through the first 5 innings before Justin Bour knocked a 2-run single to center in the 6th.

He got in some trouble earlier in the 3rd after walking JT Riddle to lead off the inning. Urena sacrificed to Suzuki before Dee Gordon reached on an infield single. However Foltynewicz struck out Giancarlo Stanton -who went 0-5 today- and caught Riddle trying to steal home to get out of the trouble.

That was due to a high-ish strike called against Adams… and perhaps Snitker using the call as a motivational point.  Either way, it wasn’t the only questionable call in the game:  Swanson (for instance) was later rung up on a ball off the plate inside.

Comeback Braves

Haven’t heard that nickname in a while but this is what the Atlanta Braves have been doing a lot this season, getting those late hit rallies.

In the bottom of the 7th, they continued the trend as Suzuki lead off with a single to left. Dansby Swanson then followed-up with a single to center which took Urena out of the game. Suzuki scored on a Ruiz sac-fly while Swanson moved to 2nd. A single from from Johan Camargo scored Swanson. Another single from Ender Inciarte and walk to Phillips loaded the bases for Nick Markakis.

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Don Mattingly came out for the 2nd pitcher change of the inning but it didn’t matter. Markakis – on the first pitch – shot one down the 3rd-base line to plate 2 more runs.

The lead was immediately lost however as Jose Ramirez walked Christian Yelich before giving up a no-doubter to Marcell Ozuna to tie the game. Derek Dietrich reached on an infield single 2 batters later but was a part of the double play to end the inning.

Brandon Phillips – AKA ‘Mr. Clutch’

With one-out, Camargo singled off Drew Steckenrider to begin the Braves comeback rally. Inciarte then lined one to put runners at the corner as Camargo moved to 3rd.

Up comes Brandon Phillips again, almost exactly like yesterday. A little too similar for Don Mattingly’s comfort, who brought Ozuna in to set up a 5-men infield. With Ozuna on the 2nd-base side, Dee Gordon and Riddle locked down the other side with Dietrich on 3rd.

However, Phillips lined the ball PERFECTLY between Gordon and Riddle scoring Camargo for the walk-off win. From what it looked like, it seem both fielders offered the ball to the other and ended up letting the ball slip past them.

As pointed out by the Braves, this was the first Braves player to hit consecutive walk-off hits since 1988. Jim Johnson, pitching a scoreless 9th, picks up the win.

Braves take the series from the Marlins 2-1. Happy Father’s Day everyone!

Next: What Should Braves Do With Adams When Freeman Comes Back

Now the Braves await San Francisco for a 4 game series with R.A. Dickey taking the first game against Johnny Cueto.  The Giants are reeling, having dropped six in a row now after a devastating walkoff loss in Denver.  Game starts at 7:35 PM.