Braves sweep Phillies behind Harris’ three hits

PHILADELPHIA — Call it a baby bump.

Michael Harris II went 3-for-3 with a home run and a fifth-inning single that started a three-run inning to lead the Braves to a 4-2 win and three-game sweep of the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday night.

Harris is now 9-for-19 with two homers, three walks, two RBIs and five runs scored since returning April 13 from paternity leave.

“I think it helps,” Harris said as to whether or not being a father as aided in his hot hitting of late. “Nah, just kind of got rolling. Got some things to go my way. Before, had some bad luck on some, was still getting the barrel on the ball. Just kind of kept my head down, working, just kind of go out there and get some results.”

Harris’ solo home run in the third inning cut the Braves’ two-run deficit in half, then his sharp single to right in the fifth began what would become a three-run inning. It was all part of the team’s fifth straight win and a series in which they outscored their NL East rivals 16-3.

On April 8, Harris was hitting .218. After a day off he came back April 10 to go for 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs. He missed the next two games to celebrate the birth of his son Michael Harris III, or ‘Trip’ as he has already been nicknamed.

“I think the biggest thing is there were still like 150 games left that I still have to play, and if I get frustrated by that? I know there’s still a lot more than can happen during the season,” Harris said of his slow start offensively. “Just kind of keeping a level head, knowing at some point they’ll fall, they’ll find a hole.”

The Braves (15-7) begin a four-game series against the Nationals in Washington on Monday and they’ll be there on a five-game winning streak thanks to Harris and Sunday’s starting pitcher Grant Holmes.

Holmes, however, did not get off to a good start in the cold, wet conditions. Kyle Schwarber’s 2-run homer to right gave the Phillies the lead before Holmes could record an out.

But Harris got one of those runs back in the second with his second homer in three games (and he only played three innings of Saturday’s game after coming off the bench late). Harris yanked an inside sweeper from Phillies starter Andrew Painter 376 feet out to right.

Painter (1-1) was lifted in the fifth after 84 pitches and giving up consecutive singles, the first of which was to Harris. Reliever Tim Mayza couldn’t protect the lead.

Mayza walked Drake Baldwin before Matt Olson plated a run with a fielder’s choice. Austin Riley, for the second straight day, got an RBI and a hit with a swinging bunt that rolled up the third base line.

Ozzie Albies delivered another blow of the inning with an RBI double that one-hopped the wall in left and made it 4-2.

Holmes (2-1) had settled in nicely after allowing the home run to Schwarber. The righty saw his night come to a close with two outs into the fifth and after 81 pitches. Holmes retired 14 of the final 17 batters he faced (allowing two singles) and struck out four.

Of his 81 pitches, Holmes threw 36 fastballs that averaged a tick under 95 mph.

“Got kicked in the mouth that first inning. Had to bear down,” Holmes said. “We kind of switched our game plan and went with more heaters and I feel like it kept them off balance. I feel like when I go out pitch they’re looking for the sliders down, I can zip a couple heaters by ‘em and it makes my life a lot easier.”

Aaron Bummer replaced Holmes, and although he gave up a double into the right field corner off the bat of Schwarber, got Phillies star Bryce Harper to ground out to third, thanks to a nice play by Riley, to end the inning.