Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Braves squander early lead, drop first game to Phillies in NL East series

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 7/25/22

The Atlanta Braves have the top spot in the NL East in their sights and had an opportunity to gain some ground on the New York Mets on Monday as they kicked off a three-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies.

But things didn't go as planned, as the home team rallied for three runs in the eighth inning thank to a home run from Bryson Stott to defeat the visiting Braves 6-4.

GREAT STOTT FOR THE LEAD#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/9CWnHS4FfK
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 26, 2022

Stott's three-run shot came off of relief pitcher A.J. Minter, who told the media after the game that the team felt "like we did everything we could today."

A.J. Minter: “I feel like we did everything we could today. We win these type of games nine times out of 10."
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) July 26, 2022

The win is big for the Phillies, who are currently 0.5 games out of a Wild Card spot in the NL — an impressive feat given how downtrodden the team was at the start of the season. Philadelphia fired manager Joe Girardi in June after the team started the season 22-29.

Meanwhile, the defending World Series champions currently maintain the top Wild Card spot in the National League and have their sights set on making another deep playoff run.

The three-game series continues Tuesday in Philadelphia.

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