What in the world has gotten into the Phillies’ offense?
They continued to hit the ball in Tuesday night’s 5-1 victory over the Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Peter Bourjos, Cody Asche, Maikel Franco and Tommy Joseph each homered as the Phillies’ offense has been one of the best in baseball the past couple weeks, averaging 5.93 runs per game in their last 14 after averaging 3.11 runs in their first 71. The Phillies, who have won nine of their last 12 games, can sweep the Braves with a victory on Wednesday afternoon.
Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings as Ender Inciarte homered in the seventh. Atlanta has lost 10 of its last 14.
The Phillies have hit 22 home runs in their last 14 games after knocking 60 in their first 71. Their 0.85 home runs per game average through June 20 ranked 28th, while their 1.57 homers per game average since then ranks fourth.
Eflin earns ‘W’: Rookie Zach Eflin has been earning his paycheck since his big league debut in Toronto on June 14, when he allowed nine runs in just 2 2/3 innings. He threw the first complete game of his career, just the Phillies’ second of the season. Eflin has a 2.03 ERA in his last four starts, including his strong effort against the Braves. Eflin allowed one run on six hits and struck out six to earn his first big league win. He is the first Phillies’ starter to throw a complete game for his first big league win since Mike Williams in 1992.
After missing the last three games with a right groin injury, Ender Inciarte returned the Braves’ lineup, hitting second and playing center field. Although he grounded into a double play in the first inning, he more than made up for it with a shot to right in the seventh. It was his first home run on the season in 206 at-bats, joining Erick Aybar as Braves to hit their first home runs of the year over the last two nights.
The Braves’ starter had his original return from the disabled list cut short because of rain. Over those three innings against Miami, Foltynewicz allowed a three-run homer. His long-ball problem did not go away in his first full start back, either. Instead of one three-run shot, Foltynewicz allowed four solo shots, ranging from the second batter he faced (Bourjos) to the second-to-last (Joseph) hitter.
Tyrell Jenkins (0-1, 5.79 ERA) will make his first Major League start in place of Julio Teheran, who is receiving treatment in Atlanta for an infection on his right thigh. MLBPipeline.com ranks Jenkins as the Braves’ No. 7 prospect. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. CT on Wednesday.
