MLBSep 30
Phillies' Early Duran Gamble Unravels on Riley Homer
Philadelphia leaned on its closer in the seventh inning, but Atlanta's late rally left the Phillies facing elimination in the NL Wild Card Series.
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Riley turns the opener
Don Mattingly put the Phillies' narrow lead in Jhoan Duran's hands earlier than usual Tuesday. The decision worked through the seventh inning before Austin Riley changed the game with a three-run homer in the eighth, sending the Braves to a 5-3 victory in Atlanta. Duran entered with Philadelphia ahead 3-2 and retired every batter he faced in the seventh. Mattingly stayed with his All-Star closer, but a two-out single by Michael Harris II and a hit-by-pitch to Ozzie Albies set up Riley's decisive swing. The defeat put Philadelphia on the brink of elimination in the best-of-three NL Wild Card Series.
A demanding assignment
Mattingly's move reflected his confidence in Duran rather than a specific matchup against Atlanta's lineup. A clean seventh encouraged the interim manager to extend the outing, with a possible return for the ninth dependent on how the eighth unfolded. That was a substantial ask for a reliever who had made only one multi-inning appearance during the regular season. Duran converted 33 of 35 save opportunities and surrendered just two home runs across 61 regular-season games. The rest of the bullpen offered less reassurance. Philadelphia's relief staff posted a majors-worst 5.79 ERA in September. Jonathan Bowlan and Andrew Painter were among the alternatives Mattingly could have considered for the ninth.
Sanchez gets the must-win start
Cristopher Sanchez will start Wednesday as the Phillies try to keep their season alive after needing the final game of the regular season to secure a wild-card berth. Duran's availability remains unsettled. He threw 27 pitches and allowed three runs over two innings in the opener. Philadelphia will assess how he feels before deciding whether he can pitch again.
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