After grounding into two double plays in the previous game, Michael Harris II was determined to bounce back. He quickly got his chance and delivered a three-run homer in the first inning as Atlanta triumphed over the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 in the decisive Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series.
Ray Kerr, a surprise starter, pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings for Atlanta, while Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson also contributed with home runs. Manager Walt Weiss praised the team’s resilience under pressure, highlighting their consistency in crucial moments.
Harris, with an impressive .426 batting average in his first eight postseason games, was eager to leave behind the disappointing performance from the previous day. Reflecting on his homer off Aaron Nola, he expressed satisfaction in contributing to the team’s success.
The victory marked Atlanta’s first postseason series win since the 2021 World Series and their first playoff series victory against the Phillies. The win held special significance for Albies, who emphasized the satisfaction of overcoming past defeats inflicted by the Phillies.
Philadelphia, facing a string of postseason disappointments since the 2022 World Series loss, experienced another early exit. Manager Mattingly acknowledged the harsh reality of postseason losses, emphasizing the importance of finishing strong.
Next up, Atlanta will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Division Series opener at Dodger Stadium, setting the stage for a clash between the two-time defending World Series champions and the resilient Braves.
