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    Takeaways from Atlanta's game one win against the Philadelphia Phillies

    Atlanta bashed their way to a victory, but used a bunch of high-leverage relievers and took extra innings to secure the dub

    The Atlanta Braves won game one of their Monday doubleheader over the Philadelphia Phillies, 10-8, in extra innings on Monday afternoon in Citizens Bank Park. Here's what you need to know from the contest: 

    Charlie Morton's curveball was as effective as ever, but not everything was

    Sep 11, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) pitches in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

    Charlie Morton has been trying to hold off Father Time for a while now, and today was a series of skirmishes in that war. 

    Phillies hitters battled the curveball - Morton threw almost 40% curveballs today, throwing more curves (39) than four-seam fastballs (27) and sinkers (7) combined. The curveball got an absurd 51% CSW, with ten called strikes and ten whiffs. 

    But Morton battled his own fastball location, leaving the heaters down in the zone and making it easy for Phillies hitters to adjust to the breaking pitches. He works best when opposing hitters have to adjust their eye levels to track the fastball up and breaking pitches down.  

    Morton finished with four runs on six hits in six innings, walking four but striking out nine on 104 pitches. 

    Austin Riley's got wheels

    Sep 11, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) celebrates after hitting a triple and scoring on a fielding error by Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Jake Cave (not pictured) in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park.

    The Braves third baseman came all the way around to score in the 1st inning, hitting a triple to the center gap and scoring thanks to the fielding mis-play and some poor effort by Phillies outfielder Jake Cave. 

    Riley finished the game 2-4 with two runs scored, part of a big game from the top of the order, who combined to go 6-17 with four runs and five RBIs. 

    Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuña Jr go back to back

    Aug 1, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) hits a home run as right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) looks on against the Los Angeles Angels in the fifth inning at Truist Park.

    Ronald Acuña Jr's been putting himself into scoring position all season with his homers (36) extra base hits (71 total), and stolen bases (65). 

    But he's also pacing all leadoff hitters in RBIs with 95 thanks to the contributions of Michael Harris II. 

    Batting 9th in the order most days, Harris is batting .293 with 67 runs scored and is increasingly finding himself functioning as a "second leadoff man" in front of Ronald. He was driven in by Acuña in the 3rd inning, scoring his first run of the game, and then the duo went back-to-back with home runs in the 6th inning, scoring three more runs. 

    Harris finished 2-4 with three runs and two RBIs, ultimately being involved in half of Atlanta's ten runs on the day. 

    Atlanta used their high leverage relievers in game one...and it didn't work

    Jun 14, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) celebrates after defeating the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

    Facing a three-run lead entering the 7th inning, Atlanta continued with their usual pattern of Joe Jiménez in the 7th, lefty AJ Minter in the 8th, and closer Raisel Iglesias in the 9th.

    It didn't work this time. 

    Jiménez gave up a solo shot to Trea Turner in the 7th to bring it within two, and Snitker made the change from Minter to Iglesias for the 9th despite Philadelphia having two lefty coming up to bat in Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. 

    Harper hit a two-out homer that tied Trea Turner and tied the game at eight, sending it to extra innings. 

    In manager Brian Snitker's defense, Harper's absolutely nuclear right now (1.056 OPS and 10 homers in his last 30 games) and Iglesias doesn't have significant platoon splits, but it's still frustrating to use your top three high-leverage in game one of a doubleheader and still lose the lead. 

    Atlanta's bench came through and saved the day

    Aug 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Kevin Pillar (17) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Atlanta won 8-6.

    Atlanta got some key contributions from their bench to get the victory in extra innings. Forrest Wall, in to run for "ghost runner" Marcell Ozuna, scored from 2nd on a pinch-hit Kevin Pillar single. Pillar, who hadn't had an at-bat since August 30th, sent one right back at Jose Alvarado for the lead and then scored on an Orlando Arcia double to give Atlanta the eventual winning margin, 10-8. 

    Kirby Yates came in for the 10th and picked up his 4th save of the season, proving his value as an experienced closing option that can be turned to when the normal guys have already thrown. 

    So what's next for the Braves? 

    They're playing another! The regularly scheduled game one in the series is scheduled for tonight at 5:40 PM ET, with Kyle Wright being activated to start for Atlanta, facing off against RHP Michael Lorenzen. The game will be broadcast on Bally Sports South. 

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