Dansby Swanson’s first grand slam leads Braves past Phillies

The Braves began their crucial nine-game National League East road trip with a victory. Behind shortstop Dansby Swanson’s grand slam, the Braves upended the Phillies 7-2 Thursday in Philadelphia to open a four-game series.

Here are five takeaways from the game:

1. Swanson was dropped in the order after his struggles in the 2-hole (1-for-17). Hitting fifth, Swanson came up with the bases loaded and two outs in the third.

Swanson lined a pitch from Phillies starter Matt Moore into the left-field seats for a grand slam, putting the Braves up by five runs. It capped the team’s energetic start after spending Wednesday night waiting out rain and not arriving in Philadelphia until around 2 a.m.

“(The adjusted lineup) worked today, we’ll see,” manager Brian Snitker said. “I liked the flow of it with Ozzie (Albies), too (Albies had three hits). I liked that a lot. (The aggressiveness) was really good. It was a long night (Wednesday) night. Short morning, all that. But it was good seeing them push the envelope a little bit.”

2. It was the first grand slam of Swanson’s career. It was his 17th homer of the season, tying his career high. The blast was also his fourth homer in 49 games hitting fifth, a spot where Swanson was slashing .198/.268/.313 in his career.

“That might be my first (grand slam) of all-time,” Swanson said. “Like, I’m 27, so throughout my 20-year baseball career. I think that was the first one I’ve ever hit. It was a cool moment. It was a great way for us to start the road trip in general, be able to get some runs early and take control of the game. That was the best part about it, to be up five runs after that. I feel like that helped set the tone for the game.”

3. Braves starter Charlie Morton keeps rolling along. Morton’s curveball was eye-popping Thursday, helping him strike out eight Phillies. He threw two particularly sharp curveballs while striking out Bryce Harper in the first inning and Travis Jankowski in the third.

The Phillies didn’t have a runner reach third until Didi Gregorius tripled to open the seventh. Odubel Herrera doubled him home. Morton walked Ronald Torreyes on four pitches and his outing ended at 102 pitches.

Morton finished allowing one run on four hits, striking out eight and walking four over six innings.

“Charlie was outstanding again,” Swanson said. “I feel like every time he goes out, he’s going deep in games for us and leaving it in a good place for our bullpen. … I love having him on the team. He’s one of a kind and I enjoy seeing him every day.”

4. Left fielder Orlando Arcia homered off Moore in the fourth for his first hit in four games. It was Arcia’s second home run with the Braves. He entered the night hitting .231/.286/.333 in 11 games since his promotion. While the results haven’t consistently been there, Arcia has continuously demonstrated aggressiveness at the plate.

5. The Braves are 6-7 against the Phillies this season. They tied Philadelphia for second place in the NL East, with three more games coming in this series. Thursday marked the Braves’ second win at Citizens Bank Park this season (2-5).

Stat to know

17 (Swanson required 127 games to hit a career-best 17 homers in 2017. He reached that total this season in 95 games.)

Quotable

“Someone said (Morton) is 37 and I didn’t really believe it. Just because his arm talent, it’s unbelievable. I feel like he’s throwing harder now. It’s kind of like a Benjamin Button situation, right (aging in reverse)?” – Swanson

Another Freeman milestone

First baseman Freddie Freeman played in his 1,500th game. Freeman is the ninth player in Braves history to reach that mark.

400

Snitker earned his 400th career victory.

Sizing up

During a break in the game, some Braves and Phillies players decided to measure small infielders Albies and Torreyes against each other. Both players are listed at 5-foot-8, though Albies topped Torreyes in the comparison.

Up next

The series continues Friday when Braves lefty Max Fried (7-5, 4.29) faces Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (7-5, 2.44).