The Atlanta Braves hit four home runs, three coming in the second inning, and Reynaldo Lopez pitched six scoreless innings to overpower the visiting Philadelphia Phillies 6-0 in the rubber game of their series on Sunday. The Braves won the final two games of the series, improved to 4-2 against the Phillies and cut Philadelphia's lead in the National League East to eight games. Adam Duvall, Jarred Kelenic and Matt Olson went yard during the second and Eli White tacked on a homer of his own in the sixth. The beneficiary of the run support was Lopez (7-2). The right-hander allowed two hits, walked three and struck out six. Lopez won his fifth straight decision and lowered his ERA to a majors-best 1.71. Dylan Lee, Pierce Johnson and Aaron Bummer each pitched a scoreless inning to complete the game and give the Braves their National League-leading 11th shutout. The losing pitcher was rookie Michael Mercado (1-1), who was hammered for five runs before being knocked out with two outs in the second inning. Mercado, making his second major league start, allowed five hits with three walks and one strikeout. Mercado surrendered all three home runs in the second inning -- a solo shot by Duvall, his seventh; a three-run blast measured at 427 feet to Kelenic, his 10th; and a 430-foot solo homer from Olson, his 13th. White, recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, later added a solo homer, his first in the majors since 2022. The Braves finished the series with nine home runs. Tyler Phillips made his major league debut for Philadelphia in the fifth inning and struck out the side -- fanning Olson, Marcell Ozuna and Travis d'Arnaud to begin his career. He became the fifth player in franchise history to pitch a full inning and strike out every batter faced in his debut. Phillips covered the final four innings and struck out seven, allowing three hits, including White's home run. Philadelphia's Nick Castellanos went 0-for-3 and saw his hitting streak end at eight games. --Field Level Media
Jul 7, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (40) throws against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports