The Braves have struggled with injuries this season, but recent updates have brought some good news, particularly regarding Michael Harris II.
None are more crucial than Michael Harris at the moment. The 2022 Rookie of the Year resumed baseball activities a few days ago after suffering a hamstring strain a few weeks back. Prior to the Braves’ game against the Giants on Tuesday, Harris was observed throwing on the field.
Grant McAuley didn’t provide a specific return timetable but mentioned that Michael Harris could begin running shortly.
#Braves CF Michael Harris II getting some work in today. pic.twitter.com/UMNLJMBtFG
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) July 2, 2024
Harris has been sidelined with a hamstring strain since June 15th, and the Braves’ offense is in urgent need of his return to the lineup. Given the nature of hamstring injuries, the team is unlikely to rush his recovery, which typically takes 6-8 weeks. Therefore, it appears we may still be a few weeks away from seeing Money Mike back in center field at Truist Park.
Trea Turner’s two-run homers lead the Phillies past the Braves
Trea Turner hit two home runs and Aaron Nola secured his 100th career victory as the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves 8-6 on Friday to take the first game of their three-game series.
With the win, the Phillies extended their lead in the National League East to 10 games over the second-place Braves.
Turner smacked a two-run homer in the fourth inning and another two-run shot in the sixth, bringing his season total to seven. This was his second multi-homer game of the week, having also hit two against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
Nola (10-4) pitched six innings, giving up three runs on five hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. He achieved his 16th career win against the Braves, marking the most wins he has against any team.
Nola is now the 15th active pitcher to reach 100 wins, accomplishing the feat in 253 games, making him the seventh-fastest active pitcher to do so.
Jeff Hoffman closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning to earn his eighth save.
Max Fried (7-4) took the loss, pitching six innings and allowing five runs on 11 hits, including Turner’s home runs, with one walk and four strikeouts.
The Phillies broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the fourth inning. Johan Rojas scored on Bryson Stott’s grounder that the Braves failed to turn into a double play, followed by Turner’s two-run homer.
The Braves narrowed the gap to 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth with Ozzie Albies’ single and Austin Riley’s 414-foot home run to center field, his 11th of the season.
Turner’s second two-run shot came in the sixth, a 459-foot blast into the left-center field stands.
Albies hit a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth, his seventh of the year.
The Phillies added three runs in the seventh due to three Atlanta errors, but the Braves fought back when Marcell Ozuna hit a three-run homer in the eighth, his 22nd of the season and first since June 22.
