Rafael Marchán Leads Harper-less Phillies Past Braves in Tight 5-4 Victory

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In the opening game of a Thursday doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park, backup catcher Rafael Marchán delivered in all phases to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-4 win over the Atlanta Braves. The victory marked Philadelphia’s 23rd win in its last 29 games and came without the presence of star slugger Bryce Harper, who was held out following a hit-by-pitch incident earlier in the week. Marchán contributed a two-run home run in the third inning, a headfirst slide to score on an infield single in the fifth, and the go-ahead RBI in the eighth after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. His impact wasn’t limited to the plate—he threw out two Braves attempting to steal, helping preserve the Phillies' narrow lead. Kyle Schwarber added to the Phillies’ momentum, belting his 19th home run of the season in the seventh inning to extend the lead to 4-2. That blast came off Pierce Johnson, who had just entered the game for Atlanta. Philadelphia closer Jordan Romano nearly let the game slip away in the ninth, issuing three walks and allowing a single. However, he recovered to strike out Eli White looking on a slider to seal his eighth save of the season. Braves catcher Sean Murphy hit a solo home run and contributed an RBI single, while Ronald Acuña Jr. added a pair of hits and an RBI after replacing Stuart Fairchild, who appeared to injure his finger during a slide.

The Braves suffered a further setback when starting pitcher A.J. Smith-Shawver exited in the third inning with a strained right elbow after taking a 96.6 mph line drive off his ankle. According to manager Brian Snitker, “It doesn’t look good,” suggesting a potentially significant injury for the 22-year-old right-hander. Harper, who had started all of Philadelphia’s first 54 games, was sidelined following a 95.3 mph fastball to the elbow from Braves ace Spencer Strider. Though the Phillies hope to avoid a long-term absence, they proved capable of rallying in his stead. With this win, the National League East-leading Phillies continued their dominant stretch, dealing the Braves their sixth loss in seven games.