The Atlanta Braves wrapped up the 2018 regular season Sunday evening with a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Atlanta will open the Division Series next Thursday on the road in either Los Angeles or Colorado.
Kevin Gausman got the start and wasn’t sharp early after a long lay off between starts. Cesar Hernandez jumped on his first pitch of the game and drove it out to right to give the Phillies and early 1-0 lead. Jose Bautista followed with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Carlos Santana to make it 2-0.
The Braves got on the board in the third when Ronald Acuña Jr doubled home Charlie Culberson to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Phillies got a run back in the fifth on a bloop double by Rhys Hoskins that scored Bautista to push the lead back to 3-1.
Gausman settled down after that tough first inning allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) in five innings. He struck out six and walked three.
With the Dodgers and Rockies holding big leads in their respective games, Brian Snitker elected to pull many of his regulars.
Sean Newcomb pitched out of the bullpen for the first time this season retiring the first two hitters he faced in the sixth before issuing a walk to Andrew Knapp. Jonny Venters came on and retired Dylan Cozens to end the inning. Max Fried also threw an impressive inning in the seventh striking out two in a clean inning.
Atlanta finishes the season 90-72 with their first NL East championship since 2013.