Paul Newberry, The Associated Press
ATLANTA — Nick Castellanos drove in three runs and had a brilliant catch in the ninth on Tuesday as the Philadelphia Phillies opened their second-round series with a 7-6 win over the Atlanta Braves.
The Phillies have won their first three playoff games, including sweeping the St. Louis Cards in the first round.
Philadelphia is playing past the regular season for the first time since 2011.
Matt Olson put the suspense with a three-run homer in the ninth against Zach Eflin, after one out.
Right fielder, Castellanos however managed a brilliant catch at the expense of William Contreras, sliding.
“I was going to do everything I could to not let the ball hit the ground,” Castellanos said. It’s the kind of game that makes baseball ‘trippy’.”
Eflin then ended the match by pulling Travis out of Arnaud on a ground ball.
Castellanos had hit a one-run single in the first and a two-run single in the fourth.
Castellanos missed much of September with an oblique injury.
“He’s been out for a long time,” Canadian manager Rob Thomson said. Maybe he managed to find his bearings.
Prior to that game, Castellanos’ playoff record was four for 27 at .148.
Alec Bohm hit a run single and a sacrifice fly for the Phillies, who were leading 7-1 after their fifth at bat.
Defending World Series champions, the Braves left nine runners on the trails.
D’Arnaud hit a solo homer and a two-run double.
Max Fried was roughed up, allowing six runs and eight hits in three and a third innings.
“There are no excuses: I got us in trouble,” he admitted.
On Monday, the Phillies signed a two-year deal to Thomson, who had the job “on an interim basis.” The Ontarian replaced Joe Girardi at the start of June.
Game 2 is Wednesday in Atlanta, starting at 4:35 p.m.
Major league leader with 21 wins this year, Kyle Wright of the Braves will face Zack Wheeler, who grew up in suburban Atlanta.
