Chris Sale outstanding once more as Braves defeat Philadelphia

Atlanta’s pitching and Arcia’s bat lead the Braves to their fifth win of the spring.

Orlando Arcia hammered a two-run homer to lead the Braves’ offense, and Atlanta’s pitchers combined for fifteen strikeouts.

Chris Sale got the start on the mound Sunday and pitched well for a little more than two innings. Sale’s fastball remained consistently at 96-97 mph throughout the day, and his slider moved really nicely, allowing him to record five strikeouts while giving up only three hits and two walks.

Aaron Bummer got himself into trouble in the fourth. Jake Cave doubled to begin the inning and advanced to third on a single by David Dahl. Following a strikeout, Austin Riley was unable to catch Johan Rojas’ grounder, allowing the game’s first run to score. Alec Bohm followed with another single, giving the Phillies a 2-0 lead.

In the home half of the inning, the Braves responded. Marcell Ozuna doubled before scoring on Forrest Wall’s single.

Daysbel Hernandez struck out two in a spotless fifth, while A.J. Minter retired the side in order in the sixth.

Atlanta seized the lead in the sixth when Jarred Kelenic walked and later scored on Orlando Arcia’s two-run home run.

Orlando Arcia's 2-run homer gives the Braves the lead over the Phillies. pic.twitter.com/3X7jf5DIPd

— Baseball GIFs (@gifs_baseball) March 3, 2024

Pierce Johnson and Joe Jimenez pitched shutout innings in the seventh and eighth, respectively, before Jonathan Hughes closed out the game in the ninth.

Atlanta only got five hits on the afternoon, but it was enough. Arcia ended the game 1-for-2 with a walk. Kelenic went 0-for-1 with two walks. Marcell Ozuna continued his hot streak with a double in three trips and is now hitting.538 for the spring.

The Braves will return to action Monday, with AJ Smith-Shawver starting against the Minnesota Twins.