The Atlanta Braves set the record for runs and hits at SunTrust Park

The Atlanta Braves had a hitting fest on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies to take the series win

After a tough loss on Friday, the Atlanta Braves looked to take the series before the Easter Break against the Philadelphia Phillies. Brandon McCarthy took the mound for the Braves going against Phillies’ Vince Velasquez.

McCarthy had some trouble early on, allowing the Phillies to score first. After striking out Cesar Hernandez, McCarthy gave up a double to Carlos Santana.

Following a walk to Odubel Herrera, he gave up back-to-back RBI singles to Rhys Hoskins and Aaron Altherr. Hoskins, however, would be thrown out at 2nd for the second out before Altherr got caught stealing to end the inning. This will be it for the Phillies, as the Braves pitching will shut them down for the rest of the game.

The Braves came back almost immediately. Ozzie Albies, hitting second, laced a ball for a triple. Freddie Freeman then singled him home to give the Braves their first run.

From this point on, McCarthy was pitching really well and batting quite well too. He had 3 sacrifice hits/bunts on the night.

Leading off the bottom 2nd, Ryan Flaherty…WHO HAS BEEN ON FIRE…pounded a double to right. Back-up-to-the-back-up catcher Chris Stewart followed with a  single before McCarthy’s sacrifice to move Stewart up. Ender Inciarte then hit one to shallow left allowing both runners to score. Braves take the lead 3-2. The Braves would load the bases with walks to Freeman and Nick Markakis but Preston Tucker struck out to end the inning.

Braves: You Get A Run, You Get A Run

In the 3rd inning, the Braves got 4 runs in but it was the top of the 3rd that was interesting. The Phillies made a rushed pitching change where the new pitcher, Hoby Milner, wasn’t quite ready.

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He apparently was just starting to warm-up in the bullpen and so Phillies manager, Gabe Kepler, was supposedly trying to stall. This led to the umpires cutting Milner’s warm-up pitches to only five instead of the standard eight. However, the pace-of-play time was over which would mean the game had to continue.

This led to Braves manager, Brian Snitker, coming out to argue (Freeman also voiced his opinion). Eventually, Snitker got tossed out but on Sunday, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that MLB issued a warning to the Phillies.

Leading off the bottom 3rd was Dansby Swanson, who hit a double to center. Flaherty then got another hit in, while Swanson scored on Stewart’s sac fly. McCarthy grounded into a fielder’s choice but both Flaherty and he were safe.

Then, Inciarte hit one to right-center for a RBI single. Freeman grounded one but was safe due to an error on Maikel Franco. Markakis then ripped a single to shallow left on the first pitch to score 2 more runs for Atlanta. This gave the Braves a 7-2 lead.

Later in the 4th, Flarherty doubled to left and scored on a Stewart single. Another run for the Braves.

The Braves Keep On Scoring

The big inning came in the 6th, when Flaherty got a lead-off single to make it a 4-hit game. The Phillies committed another error with Stewart, making both guys safe on 1st and 3rd. Peter Bourjos, who came in as a sub for left field, got a walk to load the bases again.

A wild pitch brought Flaherty in and everyone else over one. Inciarte knocked a single (a 4-run game) to score Stewart. This pushed the Phillies to make a pitching change.

The Braves however continued scoring. Albies got a fielder’s choice that scored Bourjos, Freeman then doubled Albies home and then Swanson singled home Freeman. –deep breath out– The Braves closed that inning with another four points.

If you’re thinking, the Braves are probably out of gas at this point right? Nope! -technically. In the 8th inning, with two outs, Markakis drew a walk. Enter Lane Adams, pinch-hitting for new reliever Miguel Socolovich. On a 2-1 count, Adams launched a home run to left for two more.

Braves win 15-2 to take the series 2-1.

What. A. Game. Like most said, the Atlanta Braves might not make the playoffs this season but they will be a fun team to watch. This series HAS BEEN FUN TO WATCH! Probably more fun then most expected with just about the entire roster contributing. Every starter also got at least one hit.

“It started from the get-go and it just kept going to the 8^th inning. Just kept attacking and it’s where it got us,” Ryan Flaherty said in the post-game interview. That was 19 hits in one game!

Next: The Braves Address Short-Term Catching Needs

There was no game for Easter Sunday but the Atlanta Braves take on the Washington Nationals tomorrow with Sean Newcomb expected to take the mound against Tanner Roark.