Brian McCann capped Atlanta's three-run ninth inning with a two-run single off Héctor Neris, and the Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-8 on Friday night for their eighth straight win.
Atlanta improved to 23-9 since May 10 and opened a 2 1/2-game lead over Philadelphia in the NL East. It was the first game between the division rivals since the Phillies swept three games from the Braves in late March.
Click to Gallery
Brian McCann capped Atlanta's three-run ninth inning with a two-run single off Héctor Neris, and the Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-8 on Friday night for their eighth straight win.
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Philadelphia Phillies' Rhys Hoskins gestures as he rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Philadelphia Phillies' Scott Kingery is greeted in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper (3) celebrates with Rhys Hoskins (17) after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper (3) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Nick Pivetta delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Atlanta Braves' Josh Donaldson follows through on a solo home run next to Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto during the the second inning of a baseball game Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried works against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper follows through on a two-run home run during the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Atlanta Braves' Austin Riley slides, but is tagged out by Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Sean Rodriguez as he tried to steal second base during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Atlanta Braves' Nick Markakis (22) beats the tag from Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) to score on an Ozie Albies base hit during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Neris (1-3) was 15 for 15 in save chances this year, but couldn't find the formula on his 30th birthday. Philadelphia has dropped four of five.
Atlanta Braves' Brian McCann (16) is doused by teammates after driving in the winning run with a two-run single during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. The Braves won 9-8. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper follows through on a two-run home run in the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Philadelphia Phillies' Rhys Hoskins gestures as he rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Philadelphia Phillies' Scott Kingery is greeted in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper (3) celebrates with Rhys Hoskins (17) after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper (3) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Nick Pivetta delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Atlanta Braves' Josh Donaldson follows through on a solo home run next to Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto during the the second inning of a baseball game Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried works against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper follows through on a two-run home run during the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Atlanta Braves' Austin Riley slides, but is tagged out by Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Sean Rodriguez as he tried to steal second base during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Atlanta Braves' Nick Markakis (22) beats the tag from Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) to score on an Ozie Albies base hit during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 14, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)