Jay Bruce has been a huge addition for the Philadelphia Phillies since being acquired in a trade from Seattle on June 2, and he has helped put his team in position to win a critical three-game series entering Wednesday’s contest at the Atlanta Braves. In 23 games with his new team, Bruce is hitting .272 with seven homers and 22 RBIs after driving in two runs in Tuesday’s 2-0 series-opening win, pulling Philadelphia within 4 1/2 games of Atlanta in the National League East.
Philadelphia has followed a seven-game losing streak by winning six of its past eight games, getting a gem from Aaron Nola in the series opener (four hits over eight shutout innings with three walks and eight strikeouts) to win for just the fifth time in its past 17 road games. The Braves, who averaged 6.7 runs per game while going 20-8 in June, were shut out for only the second time this season. Right fielder Nick Markakis finished 2-for-4 in the series opener, and in his past 15 games is batting .321 with 13 RBIs and nine runs scored for Atlanta. The victory gives Philadelphia a 5-2 lead in the season series as each team has scored 40 runs in the seven matchups so far this season.
TV: 7:20 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Southeast (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (4-2, 5.63 ERA) vs. Braves RH Bryse Wilson (0-0, 8.31)
Pivetta pitched well in his first three starts since being recalled from the minors, but has struggled in his past three outings, giving up 14 runs on 24 hits with seven homers allowed in 17 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old surrendered four runs on nine hits (including two homers) over 5 2/3 innings on June 26 against the New York Mets, six days after allowing six runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 frames against Washington. Pivetta’s recent stumble started in Atlanta on June 14, when he gave up four runs on eight hits across 6 2/3 innings.
Wilson looked sharp at times but struggled otherwise at Chicago on Thursday in his first start since the season’s opening weekend, giving up six runs (four earned) on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings. The 21-year-old, who replaces the struggling Mike Foltynewicz in the rotation, pitched to a 2.49 ERA in his eight previous starts at Triple-A Gwinnett with 49 strikeouts in 47 innings. Wilson started against Philadelphia on March 30, allowing four runs on five hits across 3 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS1. Atlanta has won six of its past seven series against NL East competition and Tuesday’s defeat dropped the Braves to 16-7 in their past 23 games against division foes.
2. Philadelphia C J.T Realmuto, who left Sunday’s game at Miami with a tweak in his left hamstring, started and finished 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored Tuesday.
3. Phillies SS Jean Segura collected two hits in the series opener, and in his past 13 games is 17-for-57 with eight runs scored and 11 RBIs.