Phils’ bullpen blows 5-run lead

Braves’ Markakis hits walk-off homer in season opener

ATLANTA » Nick Markakis hit a three-run homer with two out in the ninth inning, capping the Atlanta Braves’ comeback from a five-run deficit that rocked the Philadelphia Phillies 8-5 Thursday and ruined the managing debut of Gabe Kapler.

Freddie Freeman and Ozzie Albies also homered for Atlanta, which won with a walkoff hit on opening day for the first time since 1998.

Hector Neris (0-1) gave up an infield hit to Charlie Culberson and an intentional walk to Freeman before Markakis drove a 1-1 pitch over the right-field wall.

Cesar Hernandez homered for the Phillies, who wasted a strong performance by Aaron Nola — the youngest opening-day starter for the Phillies since Dennis Bennett in 1964. Kapler was sure to feel the heat for lifting the 24-year-old Nola in the sixth with a 5-0 lead after just 68 pitches, especially when the bullpen gave it away.

Freeman hit a two-run homer in the sixth and Albies led off with a eighth with another drive into the seats, sparking a three-run inning that tied the game at 5. The Phillies contributed greatly, walking two before a terrible defensive sequence by catcher Andrew Knapp.

He let a pitch graze his glove for a passed ball, caught a break when the ball ricocheted right back to him, only to skip a throw into left field trying to catch Freeman as he took off for third.

Freeman sprinted home on

JOHN BAZEMORE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Braves’ Nick Markakis (22), center, celebrates with teammates Dansby Swanson, left, Ryan Flaherty (27) and Charlie Culberson (16) after hitting a game-winning three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Phillies Thursday in Atlanta.