Braves nemesis Bryce Harper didn’t do much for the Phillies, but he didn’t need to Thursday afternoon.
Harper struck out twice in his debut with his new team but the visiting Braves still lost to Philadelphia 10-4 in the season opener.
Braves starter Julio Teheran gave up three runs and just four hits in five innings, striking out seven. But the bullpen allowed seven runs in three innings.
Harper went 0-for-3 with an intentional walk. His presence in the lineup helped blow the game open though when the Braves walked the lefty slugger to load the bases in the seventh. Rhys Hoskins followed with a grand slam off reliever Luke Jackson.
The other NL MVP pickup this offseason for the Phillies delivered instantly. Andrew McCutchen led off the game with a homer to left off Teheran (0-1).
Harper grounded out, then struck out his next two times up against Teheran.
The Phillies had nine All-Stars, two MVPs, one Cy Young Award winner and one Rookie of the Year award winner on their roster.
The Braves’ Matt Joyce hit his seventh career pinch-hit home run, a two-run shot in the seventh.
Braves leadoff man Ender Inciarte was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Ronald Acuna Jr. batted cleanup and reached base three times with a hit and two walks.
The teams are off Friday.
Bryse Wilson starts for the Braves Saturday and Kyle Wright finishes the three-game series Sunday night. It's the first time since 1905 the Braves will start two rookies in the first three games.
