Final Score: Braves 8, Phillies 7
The Phillies avoided Ronald Acuña Jr. all series long. A back issue kept him out of the starting lineup all four games. He was available off the bench Saturday and Sunday.
Then in the eighth inning, Atlanta’s star slugger emerged as a pinch hitter. The Phillies had a base open. The decision was easy for Rob Thomson: walk him.
With the game stretching into the 11th inning and with his spot in the order due up, the Phillies decided to pitch to him with the go-ahead run on third base.