Marcell Ozuna, Braves walk-off Phillies in 11 innings

A crazy night that featured a three-hour delay.

Thursday night’s game had it all — including a near three-hour rain delay — but the Atlanta Braves won a thriller over the Phillies, 4-2, in 11 innings to pick up their first series win of the year.

It was more of the same offensive for Atlanta, which scored one run through 10 innings against Jesus Luzardo and the Philadelphia bullpen. The lone run came in the first as Matt Olson grounded a ball to Bryce Harper, which scored the runner on third. It was a rare first inning run for the Braves.

Spencer Schwellenbach was superb outside of a mistake or two, the most painful of which came against Kyle Schwarber in the third as he launched a no-doubter to center field to tie the score at 1-1. Similar to the Braves, Philadelphia couldn’t get much else going against Schwellenbach and the ragtag bunch of relievers who ended up pitching tonight.

Schwellenbach tossed six innings before the rain came, striking out five while surrendering seven hits and two walks. He didn’t quite have his best stuff or command on Thursday evening, but he made it work as he so often does.

A massive rain storm nearly wiped out the game, but around 11:30 p.m. ET, the boys resumed.

Neither team could strike in the seventh, eighth or ninth innings, although the Braves had chances. The team was 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position with seven left on base — and not to spoil it, but they were 0-for-9 prior to the 11th inning.

In the 10th, the ghost runner was stranded by both teams. Rafael Montero made his Braves debut and did a superb job against the top of Philly’s lineup. In the 11th, Jose Suarez ultimately walked in a run, but managed to escape with just one run allowed (despite Kyle Schwarber nearing hitting a grand slam).

Thankfully, the Braves’ bats FINALLY woke up in the 11th. Facing reliever Joe Ross in front of a few hundred folks at Truist Park, Austin Riley launched a ball into the gap to tie it.

And a few moments later, Marcell Ozuna cleared the left field wall for the Braves’ first series win of the year and third win overall.

What a game. I’m exhausted. We’re all exhausted. But a win is a win.

The Braves will face the Tampa Bay Rays this weekend.