Braves pull off late win vs Phillies in final Spring Training division matchup

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — A sleepy afternoon turned electric for the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday as they erased a two-run deficit in the late innings to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 in the clubs’ final Grapefruit League meeting before the regular season.

Through six innings the Braves had been held hitless and trailed 2-0, but the offense awakened in the bottom of the seventh. Michael Harris II broke up the no-hit bid with an RBI single that plated Dalton McIntyre, then tied the contest when he raced home on Luke Williams’ sacrifice fly. The decisive run came moments later on a two-out fielding error by Phillies third baseman Garret Grubs, allowing outfielder Ben Gamel to score the eventual game-winner.

The comeback made a winner of the bullpen after veteran left-hander Martín Pérez worked 3.2 innings in the start, surrendering one run on six hits while sharing the mound with reliever Jacob Kroeger. Though Pérez was economical, the day’s brightest spot may have been 20-year-old right-hander Didier Fuentes, who continued his push for an Opening-Day roster spot. Fuentes showcased a lively fastball and sharper command, recording multiple strikeouts—one via the ABS automated strike zone in the sixth—as part of an eight-strikeout team effort on the afternoon.

Atlanta improves to 7-6-1 this spring and will enjoy an off-day Thursday before traveling to Bradenton to face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. The Phillies, meanwhile, will not see the Braves again until a mid-April National League East rematch.

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