Phillies break out big bats vs. Braves

ATLANTA — Odúbel Herrera hit a three-run homer in his team’s sixrun first inning as the streaking Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 12-2 on Friday night in their top-scoring game this season.

Boosted by the return of Bryce Harper and Jean Segura from injuries, the Phillies set a season high with 16 hits.

J.T. Realmuto had three hits, including a two-run homer, and Segura drove in two runs with four hits. The Phillies, atop the National League East Division standings, stretched their winning streak to five games.

The attendance at Truist Park was 38,952 as the Braves allowed 100% capacity for the first time since before the coronavirus pandemic. The big crowd was not a sellout but almost doubled the season’s previous high of 20,673 against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 25.

Zach Eflin (2-1) gave up a second-inning home run to Dansby Swanson. It was a rare mistake for Eflin, who allowed two runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts.

Atlanta starter Charlie Morton (2-2) didn’t survive the first inning, recording only two outs. All six runs were unearned, thanks to a passed ball by rookie William Contreras that allowed Rhys Hoskins to reach on a strikeout. Alec Bohm’s bases-loaded single drove in the first run.

Segura had a two-run single in the first in his return from the 10-day injured list with a right quadriceps strain. Harper had two hits, including a double, after missing four games with a sore left wrist.

Ronald Acuña Jr. dropped a soft single into right field in the fifth to drive in Swanson, who doubled past a diving Harper.

Realmuto homered in the eighth off Carl Edwards Jr., who allowed three runs while recording only one out.