Castellanos HR after overturned call, Phils beat Braves 3-1
Nick Castellanos reacts after hitting a two-run homer in the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) ((Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images))
ATLANTA - Nick Castellanos hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Philadelphia Phillies took full advantage of an overturned call, beating the Atlanta Braves 3-1 on Wednesday.
After getting blown out 13-1 in the opener of the two-game series between NL East rivals, the Phillies looked to be down to their final three outs when J.T. Realmuto grounded into what was ruled an inning-ending double play with the Braves nursing a 1-0 lead.
But Philadelphia challenged the call, and the replay showed Realmuto's foot getting to the bag ahead of the relay throw while Rhys Hoskins trotted home from third.
With the game now tied at 1, Collin McHugh (2-2) fell behind 2-0 in the count before grooving one to Castellanos, who launched a 420-foot drive over the center-field wall for his ninth homer of the season.
Zack Wheeler (10-5) claimed the win over his hometown team with five-hit ball over seven innings, snapping Atlanta's four-game winning streak. His only big mistake came in the fifth, when he served up a homer to Orlando Arcia.
Phillies newcomer David Robertson, acquired in a series of deals ahead of the trade deadline, worked a scoreless ninth for his first Philadelphia save after locking down 14 wins for the Chicago Cubs.
The Braves wasted 6 2/3 scoreless innings by Charlie Morton, who turned in another strong performance by Atlanta's rotation.
Over the last five games, the starters have surrendered just 16 hits and three runs in 33 innings, with seven walks and 40 strikeouts.
The Braves are leading the NL wild-card race and have their sights set higher as they hit the road for a rare five-game series against the first-place Mets.
New York came into the day 2 1/2 games ahead of the World Series champion Braves, who have won four straight NL East titles.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves C Travis d'Arnaud was set to start behind the plate, but a stomach bug forced a change of plans. William Contreras got the nod on short rest after playing the night before.
UP NEXT
Phillies: Return home to begin a four-game series Thursday against the Nationals. Newly acquired Noah Syndergaard (5-8, 3.83 ERA with the Los Angeles Angels) will get the nod against a Washington team that no longer has star slugger Juan Soto. OF Brandon Marsh, acquired from the Angels in a separate trade, is also expected to join the Phillies on Thursday.
Braves: RHP Kyle Wright (13-4, 2.93 ERA) will get the nod in Thursday's series opener against the Mets, while newcomer Jake Odorizzi — acquired in a flurry of trades ahead of the deadline — is scheduled to make his Braves debut with a start in Saturday's doubleheader. Another deadline addition, RHP Raisel Iglesias, will join the bullpen in New York. RHP Jay Jackson was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill the open spot on the pitching staff Wednesday.