Perhaps the return of Sean Murphy is just what the doctor ordered for the Atlanta Braves.
The Braves hope to post back-to-back wins for the first time this season on Wednesday when they host the Philadelphia Phillies in the middle contest of a three-game set.
Atlanta lost eight of its first nine contests without Murphy (rib), although in fairness, the team has dealt with a variety of issues (including injuries and suspensions) over the season's first two weeks. Still, the return of the veteran catcher provided an immediate spark on Tuesday as Murphy homered in his first at-bat and finished with four RBIs in a series-opening 7-5 victory.
"It just seemed like the game gravitated toward him today," said Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale, who allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings before the bullpen slammed the door.
"Having a guy like that come back this year is key for us."
Atlanta was blanked 4-0 by Miami in its previous game - the fifth time this season the team has failed to score more than one run in a game. The Braves' bats woke up in time for Tuesday's affair.
"We did need that. That's an understatement. ... It was a nice little shot in the arm for us," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. "We've been struggling. Like I've said before, we've gotta make it happen. And we did (tonight)."
The Phillies, meanwhile, had won seven of their first nine games heading into Tuesday's action.
They will look to bounce back behind veteran sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos, who combined for six hits and four RBIs in the series opener.
"It's disappointing. We put in some good at-bats against Sale," said Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson, whose team has yet to lose back-to-back games this season.
The Phillies will give the ball to Taijuan Walker (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who is coming off a brutal season in which he posted a 3-7 record and a 7.10 ERA. However, the veteran right-hander showed improvement in his 2025 season debut, tossing six scoreless innings in a win over the Colorado Rockies.
Walker allowed only three hits and a walk, striking out four in a performance that brought tears to his mother in the crowd and smiles to the faces of his teammates.
"We're not going out there trying to fail," Schwarber said. "And I think that's just a really cool moment where he comes out and he does his thing. He should feel proud about that and build on it."
Walker certainly will be wary of Michael Harris II, who is 4-for-5 with two home runs against him. He'll also likely be careful around Austin Riley, who is 5-for-12 with a homer vs. Walker.
Walker is 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA in nine career meetings with the Braves.
Atlanta will counter with right-hander Grant Holmes (0-1, 7.20), who has made one start and one relief appearance this season. Following a scoreless inning of relief on Opening Day, he toed the rubber as a starter four days later against the Los Angeles Dodgers and surrendered four runs, four hits and four walks in four innings.
Holmes pitched mostly out of the bullpen as a rookie last season, including three appearances against Philadelphia. In all, he yielded one run in 3 2/3 innings vs. the Phillies, surrendering only a home run to Castellanos in a loss on Aug. 29.
--Field Level Media
