Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies

Acuña delivers late, Braves outlast Phillies 8-7 in 11

“Our goal is to win the World Series again,” Acuna said. “It was a big win and hopefully, we'll get the next three ”

The Braves split the four-game series and remained 1 1/2 games behind the division-leading New York Mets. They'll play three games next weekend in Atlanta, with the Mets needing one win to secure the tiebreaker advantage of head-to-head wins.

“These guys put a lot into these things and they expend a lot of energy to win games on a nightly basis,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It was a big win to try and keep pace in this whole thing. It is unbelievable with the big hits and everything. Especially against the Phillies, who are a really good team."

Kyle Schwarber extended his National League-leading home run total to 42 with a pair of solo drives while scoring three times for the Phillies. Philadelphia holds a 1 1/2-game lead over the Brewers for the third NL wild-card spot and a head-to-head tiebreaker over Milwaukee based on a 4-3 season series advantage.

All 10 of Philadelphia's games are on the road while all nine of the Brewers' remaining games are on the road.

“We are going to do a good job of taking out the exceeded pressure,” Schwarber said. “We have to enjoy this thing and its going to be a fun last road trip. We have to be prepared and locked in and take the results at the end of the day, whether its a win or a loss.”

Acuña hadn't played since feeling back tightness before Thursday night’s series opener. He pinch-hit for Vaughn Grissom in the eighth, was issued an intentional walk and remained in the game.

In the 11th, he hit an RBI single off Andrew Bellatti (4-4) for a 7-6 lead, and later scored on a two-out single by Michael Harris II.

“Running around the bases, I didn't feel a thing,” Acuna said. “I felt really good.”

Jackson Stephens (3-2) pitched the last two innings, giving up an RBI single to J.T. Realmuto in the 11th.

Dansby Swanson hit a two-run homer in the fourth off Phillies starter Kyle Gibson for a 5-4 lead. Swanson had three hits and three RBI.

With the rain pouring down across Citizens Bank Park in the fifth, both Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm lifted sacrifice flies for a 6-5 lead, just before the tarp came out for 2 hours, 9 minutes.

The score remained that way until the eighth when Phillies reliever David Robertson uncorked a two-out, bases-loaded wild pitch that scored William Contreras with the tying run.

ATTENDANCE CHECK

On average, the Phillies drew 28,459 fans per game. That was down more than 5,000 fans a game from from the 33,671 average in 2019, the first year after the club signed Bryce Harper to a 13-year free-agent contract.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Phillies: Placed LHP Brad Hand on the 15-day injured list with left elbow tendinitis retroactive to Sept. 22. In his place, RHP Chris Devenski was selected from Triple A Lehigh Valley and INF Johan Camargo was designated for assignment.

UP NEXT

Braves: After visiting the White House on Monday morning to celebrate their 2021 World Series title, the Braves will start a three-game series at the Nationals on Monday evening. Atlanta has not announced its Monday starter.

Phillies: After an off-day Monday, the Phillies begin a 10-game road trip that will conclude the regular season in Chicago. RHP Zack Wheeler (11-7, 2.98 ERA) will start against the Cubs on Tuesday.

How can I watch Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies?

• TV Channel: Braves at Phillies 2022 MLB Baseball, is broadcasted on MLB.tv.
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