After grounding into two double plays in the previous game, Michael Harris II was determined to bounce back. He didn’t have to wait long for redemption. In the first inning, Harris smashed a three-run home run, and Chris Sale, pitching on short rest, secured the final four outs as Atlanta triumphed over the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series.
Ray Kerr, a surprise starter, delivered 3 1/3 scoreless innings for Atlanta, while Ozzie Albies added a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Matt Olson contributed a solo home run in the seventh inning as the team advanced to the Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Manager Walt Weiss praised his team’s resilience, stating, “When the stakes are high, we’ve been at our best all year long.” Harris, who hit .426 with two homers and five RBIs in his first eight postseason games, expressed his determination to move past the previous game’s setbacks.
This victory marked Atlanta’s first postseason series win since the 2021 World Series and their first playoff series victory against the Phillies, who had previously eliminated them in past playoff matchups. Albies expressed satisfaction in defeating the Phillies, who had previously ended their postseason hopes.
Philadelphia’s loss continued a trend of early playoff exits since their 2022 World Series defeat, with consecutive exits in the NL Championship Series, two NLDS losses, and now a Wild Card Series defeat.
Looking ahead, Atlanta will face the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in the opening game of the Division Series on Saturday.