Ray Kerr, in only his fourth career start and postseason debut, came out of nowhere to throw 3 1/3 scoreless innings, shutting down the Phillies and propelling the Braves to a 6-2 win on Thursday night in the decisive Game 3 of their National League Wild Card Series. What a performance! This wasn’t just a win, it was the Braves’ first postseason series win since their 2021 World Series run, and their first-ever playoff series win against the Phillies. Talk about breaking some droughts!
Homers All Around: Braves’ Bats Explode When it Mattered Most
The Braves’ bats came alive right when the stakes were highest. Michael Harris II, who hit into two double plays in Wednesday’s tight 4-3 loss, blasted a three-run homer in the first inning to set the tone. Then, in the fourth, Ozzie Albies crushed a two-run shot that gave Atlanta a commanding 5-0 lead. Not done yet, Matt Olson added a solo shot in the seventh. This offensive explosion meant Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola got pulled after giving up three runs in just 1 2/3 innings, and Zack Wheeler, who’d pitched the wild-card clincher against Tampa Bay, allowed two runs in four innings. Braves manager Walt Weiss totally nailed it when he said, “Man, all year long when the stakes have been the highest, when the challenges have been the toughest, we’ve been at our absolute best.” He wasn’t kidding, was he?
The Unsung Hero: Kerr’s Phenomenal Postseason Debut
But let’s get back to Ray Kerr. What a story! This guy, 32 years old, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024 and only pitched in nine games after being recalled on August 16. Yet, in his postseason debut, in a winner-take-all Game 3, he looked like a seasoned pro. Weiss wanted a lefty to face dangerous Phillies hitters Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, and Kerr delivered. He gave up just one hit, to Schwarber, and walked Schwarber once. He left to a standing ovation, soaking it all in. Weiss couldn’t stop praising him, saying, “Hopefully, Ray Kerr became a bit of a household name tonight. He deserves it… He’s got an amazing story. Perseverance… he was very excited about the challenge tonight. As you saw, he wasn’t rattled at all. Looked like a 10-year vet making a start, and he was phenomenal.” Following Kerr, Grant Holmes tossed two innings, allowing just one run and earning the win. And then, who else but Chris Sale, who started Game 1, came out of the bullpen on one day’s rest to get the final four outs, striking out Harper to end the eighth and then Bryan De La Cruz and pinch-hitter Otto Kemp in the ninth to seal the deal. Clutch!
The Phillies’ interim manager Don Mattingly put it pretty simply, acknowledging, “Over the course of the 162 (games), they were the best team in our division.” That’s high praise, and the Braves definitely proved it last night.
Now, the Braves are rolling, riding that momentum into a best-of-five Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. That’s gonna be a must-watch showdown!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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