Castellanos leads Phillies past Braves in 11 innings, boosting NL East lead

On Sunday night, the Philadelphia Phillies faced off against the Atlanta Braves in a crucial NL East matchup. Nick Castellanos played a pivotal role, hitting a game-winning single in the 11th inning, which secured a 3-2 victory for the Phillies. This win marked the final regular-season meeting between the two teams, further solidifying Philadelphia's lead in the division. Castellanos had previously tied the game with a two-run double in the sixth inning, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. The game was characterized by strong pitching performances, particularly from the Phillies' bullpen, which delivered five scoreless innings in relief of starter Aaron Nola. Nola himself had a solid outing, allowing two runs and striking out nine batters over six innings. His performance was praised by manager Rob Thomson, who noted an increase in Nola's velocity and command of his pitches. Atlanta's offense was initially sparked by Michael Harris II, who hit a home run in the third inning, giving the Braves an early lead. However, the Phillies responded effectively, with Castellanos' clutch hitting proving decisive. The Braves' pitching, particularly from starter Spencer Schwellenbach, kept the game competitive until the late innings. With this victory, the Phillies increased their lead in the NL East to seven games, while the Braves remained in contention for a wild card spot. The game highlighted the resilience of the Phillies and the importance of Castellanos' contributions as they head into the final stretch of the season.