The Phillies fell to the Braves 6-1 on June 29, 2025, as rookie Spencer Schwellenbach fanned 12 and Sean Murphy hit a game-sealing grand slam. Recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a frustrating Sunday afternoon in Atlanta as the Philadelphia Phillies' offense went cold, falling 6-1 to the Braves. The story of the day was Braves rookie Spencer Schwellenbach, who baffled Phillies hitters with a career-high 12 strikeouts. A glimmer of hope in the sixth was quickly extinguished before a seventh-inning grand slam by Sean Murphy put the game firmly out of reach, dropping the Phillies to 48-35 on the season.
Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach struck out a career-high 12 batters over seven dominant innings, allowing just one run.
The game hinged on a pair of chances in the middle innings. In the top of the sixth, Alec Bohm came through with a clutch two-out single, cutting the Braves' lead to 2-1 and putting runners on the corners. With a chance to tie or take the lead, Nick Castellanos stepped to the plate but flied out, ending the threat and stranding two. The missed opportunity proved costly. In the bottom of the seventh, the Braves loaded the bases against the Phillies' bullpen, and Sean Murphy delivered the knockout blow: a grand slam that turned a close game into a 6-1 rout.
Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo battled through five innings, keeping his team in the contest. He scattered seven hits and struck out seven, allowing just two runs and stranding five Braves on the basepaths. It was a gritty performance that gave the Phillies a chance. Unfortunately for Luzardo and the Phils, his counterpart was nearly untouchable. Spencer Schwellenbach put on a clinic, carving up the lineup for seven innings while allowing just three hits and one run. His 12 strikeouts were a career-best and the primary reason the Phillies' offense never found its rhythm.
Despite the lopsided loss, it's important to remember the bigger picture. The Phillies still sit atop the NL East standings with a solid 48-35 record. However, the team has been treading water recently, going an even 5-5 in their last 10 contests. While there's no need to panic, this loss serves as a reminder that every game against a divisional foe like Atlanta carries extra weight, and the team will need to find more consistent offensive production to maintain its lead.
It was a tough pill to swallow, especially against a division rival. But the beauty of baseball is there's always tomorrow. The Phillies will look to salvage the series finale, and the bats will need to wake up from their slumber to provide some run support. A short memory is key here as the team aims to prove this was just a blip on the radar and not the start of a trend.
