Braves defeat Phillies 6-2 to clinch NL Wild Card series

Atlanta advanced to a best-of-five National League Division Series after a 6-2 victory over Philadelphia in the decisive Game 3 of the Wild Card round on Thursday night. Michael Harris II opened the scoring with a three-run home run in the first inning, and the Braves added two more homers — a two-run shot by Ozzie Albies in the fourth and a solo blast by Matt Olson in the seventh.

Ray Kerr made his postseason debut, delivering 3 1/3 scoreless innings and allowing only one hit and one walk, both to Phillies left-fielder Kyle Schwarber. He left the game to a standing ovation and was credited with the win after reliever Grant Holmes held Philadelphia to one run over two innings.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly noted that the Braves had been the strongest team in their division throughout the regular season. Philadelphia’s starter Aaron Nola was removed after 1 2/3 innings, having allowed three runs, including Harris’s homer. Subsequent Phillies pitchers Zack Wheeler and Jonathan Bowlan each gave up runs, with Wheeler allowing two runs in four innings and Bowlan surrendering Olson’s solo homer.

The win gave Atlanta its first postseason series victory since the 2021 World Series and its first series win over Philadelphia, who had previously eliminated the Braves in three postseason matchups. The game attracted a sellout crowd of 41,731 at Truist Park, the highest attendance of the three-game series.

Atlanta will open the Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.