PHILADELPHIA — Through the first two frames, it looked as if the Braves might have a hard time sticking to their plan to only use Spencer Strider for a few innings.
Making his first start since being sidelined by a left oblique injury on Sept. 18, Strider retired the first six Phillies he faced in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Friday at Citizens Bank Park. He opened the game with a 97.7 mph fastball to Kyle Schwarber, and topped out at 100.6 on his fourth pitch to J.T. Realmuto in the first.
It wasn’t until the third inning that Strider ran into trouble, giving up a leadoff walk to Brandon Marsh. The 23-year-old rookie then battled Jean Segura in an eight-pitch at-bat, coming out with a strikeout for the first out of the inning. With Bryson Stott at the plate, Strider was charged with an error on a pickoff attempt that resulted in Marsh reaching third. Stott’s RBI double scored Marsh, the first of five runs charged to Strider.
After a mound visit from pitching coach Rick Kranitz and batterymate Travis d’Arnaud, Strider intentionally walked Schwarber before giving up a first-pitch home run to Rhys Hoskins on a 93.8 mph fastball. Strider faced one more batter, giving up a single to Realmuto, before he was relieved by Dylan Lee.
Strider averaged 98.4 mph over the first two innings, dipping to 96.4 in the third. He threw 52 pitches, 36 for strikes.