(Atlanta) Kyle Wright, Major League Baseball’s winningest pitcher this season, went stellar for six innings as the Atlanta Braves tied their second-round streak 1-1 by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 , Wednesday.
Updated yesterday at 11:53 p.m.
After persistent rain that delayed the first pitch by nearly three hours, Wright gave up just two hits.
Wright got the better of counterpart Zack Wheeler, who gave up three runs and four hits over six innings.
The Braves found a flaw in Wheeler’s game in the sixth, scoring their three points there.
The defending World Series champions lost Game 1 7-6.
Wright, a former first-round pick, started the season with a 2-8 major league record. He totally turned things around, with 21 wins and 5 losses, winning three games more than any other pitcher in major league baseball.
“I worked on several aspects, but it is above all a question of confidence,” he confided, about his successes.
AJ Minter, Raisel Iglesias and Kenley Jansen wrapped up the match by pitching an inning each. Jansen got the rescue.
Philadelphia finished the game with just three hits.
Matt Olson, Austin Riley and Travis d’Arnaud drove in the Braves’ runs on singles.
Atlanta needed just four hits to win.
Game 3 is on Friday at Citizens Bank Park; the Phillies will play there for the first time since Sept. 25 (a regular-season loss to the Braves).
“Winning every other game here should give the guys some energy when they get back to our passionate fans,” manager Rob Thomson said.
The Phillies have played 14 consecutive road games.
This is their first playoff appearance since 2011.
Right-hander Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) will start for the Phillies in Game 3.
The Braves haven’t announced their choice yet, but we expect Charlie Morton or Spencer Strider, two right-handers.
