Connect with us

Published

on

The Phillies shut out the Braves 3-0 to win Game 1 of the National League Division Series in Atlanta. It was the first time the Braves, who own the best offense in baseball, have been shut out at home this season.

Left-hander Ranger Suarez started for Philadelphia and struck out four over 3⅔ innings. Five relievers held the Braves scoreless for 4 2/3 innings before former Atlanta pitcher Craig Kimbrel closed it out in the ninth.

Asked what explained Saturday night’s offensive performance, Braves manager Brian Snitker said, “I think it was more their pitching than our hitting,” and looked ahead to their potential challenge for the rest of the series.

“I think they did a great job of addressing their bullpen issues from last year, and they’ve got multiple weapons that they can go to,” Snitker said.

With an off-day between Games 1 and 2 in Atlanta, a deep bullpen can be even more impactful.

The Phillies continued their postseason edge over the Braves, after beating Atlanta 3-1 in the NLDS last season despite finishing 14 games back in the regular season in 2022 and again in 2023.

“This team, to a man, has this innate toughness to them,” Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said. “They’re really resilient, and they just keep fighting. So it’s a great combination of talent and makeup that we have on this club.”

Controversy sparked in the eighth inning when Braves catcher Sean Murphy was called for interference, which led to the final Phillies run scoring. The call was upheld after replay, which led to a delay as Braves fans threw drinks all over the outfield at Truist Park.

After the game, Murphy told reporters of the catcher’s interference that, “I didn’t feel it, but I heard it,” which lined up with his decision to not argue the call on the field.

Spencer Strider turned in a quality start for Atlanta, going seven innings and allowing one earned run on five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. The earned run was a homer to right field by Bryce Harper on an inside slider. The Phillies also went 5-for-6 on stolen bases after averaging less than one stolen base per game in the regular season.

It was a well-rounded effort that Harper noticed.

“I thought we ran the bases well,” he said. “I thought we played really good defense and just timely hitting and really good pitching.”

The Braves led baseball in runs scored with 947, the most since the New York Yankees in 2007. FanGraphs “Offense” stat, which combines all baserunning and hitting, adjusted for park and era, has the Braves’ 2023 offense as the best since the 1931 Yankees, which featured Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth.

Phillies aces Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola are slated to start Games 2 and 3, respectively. The Braves will start Max Fried in Game 2 and haven’t announced a Game 3 starter yet.

Continue Reading

Sports

Johnson, 2-time Cup winner with Lightning, retires

Published

on

By

Johnson, 2-time Cup winner with Lightning, retires

Tyler Johnson has announced his retirement after playing 13 NHL seasons and winning the Stanley Cup twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Johnson called it a career in a lengthy message posted on social media Monday. Johnson had battled injuries in recent years and is set to turn 35 on July 29.

“As a short kid from a small town, I saw my chances of playing in the NHL as very slim,” Johnson wrote on Instagram. “But my family — my parents, Ken and Debbie, and my grandparents — believed in me when doubt clouded my mind. Their unwavering faith turned that dream into reality.”

Listed at 5-foot-8 and 191 pounds, Johnson won at just about ever level, capturing the Western Hockey League and Memorial Cup championships in 2008 with his hometown Spokane Chiefs and the Calder Cup championship with Norfolk of the American Hockey League in 2012.

The NHL brought more success, as he skated in 863 regular-season and playoff games since debuting in the league in 2013, putting up 498 points. Johnson was part of the Lightning’s core when they reached the final in 2015 and helped them hoist the Cup back to back in 2020 and ’21.

Johnson finished with Chicago, playing three seasons with the Blackhawks, and Boston, signing with the Bruins early last season following his training camp tryout.

“After a lifetime devoted to hockey, I’m ready for what’s next,” Johnson said. “This moment is bittersweet, but I leave the game with no regrets.”

Continue Reading

Sports

‘Gritty’ McBain secures 5-year deal from Mammoth

Published

on

By

'Gritty' McBain secures 5-year deal from Mammoth

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Mammoth re-signed center Jack McBain to a five-year contract worth $21.25 million on Monday.

McBain will count $4.25 million against the salary cap through the 2029-30 NHL season, which was announced a little more than 24 hours since the team elected salary arbitration with the restricted free agent forward.

“He is a big, strong, physical player who competes hard on a nightly basis and brings a gritty toughness to our group,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “Jack is an important part of the championship-caliber team we are building, and we look forward to having him back on our roster for the foreseeable future.”

McBain, 25, is coming off setting a career high with 27 points and playing all 82 games. He was one of six players to skate in every game of the organization’s first season in Salt Lake City.

“Jack’s versatility as a player, his care for his teammates and his demonstrated willingness to do whatever it takes to win, are all critical elements to our future team success,” president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said.

McBain has 82 points in 241 games with the franchise, which moved to Utah from Arizona. Since debuting in April 2022, he ranks third in the league with 832 hits.

Continue Reading

Sports

‘Workhorse’ York nets five-year deal from Flyers

Published

on

By

'Workhorse' York nets five-year deal from Flyers

Cam York and the Philadelphia Flyers agreed to terms Monday on a five-year contract worth $25.75 million, with re-signing the restricted free agent defenseman completing perhaps the team’s last important piece of offseason business.

York, 25, will count $5.15 million against the salary cap through the 2029-30 NHL season. That price could turn out to be a bargain with the upper limit rising from $88 million this past season to $113.5 million by 2027-28.

“Cam has been a workhorse for our team over the last few seasons,” general manager Danny Briere said. “We’re excited by his development and look forward to his continued growth and emergence as a young leader within our group.”

The Flyers are trying to shift from rebuilding to contending, and York was the final player on the roster without a contract. They acquired Trevor Zegras in a trade from Anaheim last month and signed fellow center Christian Dvorak and backup goaltender Dan Vladar on the first day of free agency.

York, the 14th pick in the 2019 draft, has skated nearly 21 minutes a game so far in his pro career, all with Philadelphia. He has 77 points in 235 games for the Flyers, who have not made the playoffs since 2020.

“I believe in this team, and I love the direction we are heading,” York said. “I couldn’t be more excited to continue this journey and build something special together.”

Continue Reading

Trending