The Braves are the hottest team in baseball right now and look unstoppable.
Just ask the Phillies.
Philadelphia held a seemingly safe 7-2 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh in Atlanta, but watched as the Braves rallied for a 9-8 win to claim their eighth straight victory.
Catcher Brian McCann, who started the rally with a solo homer to lead off the seventh, walked it off for Atlanta with a two-out, two-run single into the gap off Phillies closer Héctor Neris.
Down 2 going to the bottom of the 9th…
— MLB (@MLB) June 15, 2019
The @Braves really wanted that 8th straight win. #walkoff pic.twitter.com/RNcccq0epG
“I am overcome with emotions right now. This means everything to me," McCann told Fox Sports moments after the game-winning hit.
Having spent all but 10 days in first place in the NL East this season, Philadelphia watched as Atlanta took over the top spot Wednesday. This appeared to be the Phillies' game early, thanks to home runs by Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins and Scott Kingery.
The outfielders hardly move as Bryce Harper rips his 1st HR since June 1st. 💪
— theScore (@theScore) June 15, 2019
(🎥: @MLB ) pic.twitter.com/x835EX0THS
But the Braves (41-29) persevered to take a 2 1/2-game lead over the Phillies (38-31). In a season where half the MLB division races are shaping up as laughers, this rivalry could be fun down the stretch. The two teams face each other 15 more times in 2019. Phillies right hander Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.58 ERA) goes against Sean Newcomb (1-0, 2.59 ERA) Saturday.
Studs of the Night
Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe hit three home runs, including a two-run shot in the 12th inning, to key the Padres' rally in a wild 16-12 win over the Rockies. He finished with four hits and runs and five RBIs in seven at-bats.
Jake Bauers hit for the cycle and drove in four runs in Cleveland's 13-4 win over the Tigers.
Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez had a pair of homers and three RBIs in a 13-2 win over the Orioles.
Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson yielded only two hits in eight scoreless innings, striking out six in a 2-0 win over the Royals.
Catcher Robinson Chirinos hit a grand slam and had six RBIs as the Astros cruised to a 15-2 win over the Blue Jays.
Pirates third baseman Colin Moran homered, had three hits and drove in five runs in an 11-0 win over the Marlins. Rookie right fielder Bryan Reynolds collected four hits and is now hitting .364 in 162 at-bats.
Dud of the Night
Yankees starter CC Sabathia had an ugly pitching line in a 10-2 loss to the White Sox: 4 2/3 innings, 10 hits, three walks, five earned runs.
Highlights
Astros rookie Yordan Alvarez hammers this pitch 425 feet, his third home run in four MLB games since being called up.
Onto the train tracks. 😱
— MLB (@MLB) June 15, 2019
Yordan has some STUPID power. 💪 pic.twitter.com/SwB8UYRnUR
Ian Desmond hits what at first looks like a double … then a triple … but he just keeps running and …
See you in another life, brotha. pic.twitter.com/vuLqYyuiNV
— MLB (@MLB) June 15, 2019
What's Next
Angels (34-36) at Rays (42-27), 1 p.m. ET — Rays starter Charlie Morton (8-0, 2.10 ERA) will look to remain undefeated against Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani & Co. José Suarez (1-1, 4.35 ERA) will make his third career start for the Angels.