Cobb Reporter

ATLANTA -- Spencer Schwellenbach's seventh career MLB start was a quality one on Saturday against the Phillies. Schwellenbach went six innings, allowed one run on seven hits, and struck out six without issuing a walk as the Braves evened the series with a 5-1 win over Philadelphia at Truist Park.

Schwellenbach earned his second career win, marking the third time in his young career that he went six innings while allowing three runs or fewer. It was also the second time he pitched at least five innings without issuing a walk. Selected by the Braves in the second round of the 2021 Draft, Schwellenbach had allowed four runs in five innings in his two starts prior to Saturday.

“[I] turned it around from last week and [came] in and [made] some adjustments, just hammering the strike zone,” Schwellenbach said.

The Braves’ offense greeted Phillies starter Ranger Suárez with three runs in the first inning, highlighted by Marcell Ozuna’s 23rd home run of the season -- a two-run shot -- giving Schwellenbach an early lead to work with.

“It’s always nice to pitch with the lead,” Schwellenbach said. “That’s something I’ve seen [Ozuna] do plenty since being up here. It’s always good to see.”

Prior to Saturday, Schwellenbach had received four total runs of support.

“That was very, very impressive from the get-go,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I’m glad we scored some runs for him. We hadn’t scored many runs in his starts. He’s pitched well enough to have more than two wins. I thought that was really good.”

It was the seventh time this season that the Phillies have been held to one run or fewer in a loss.

After committing three errors in one inning on Friday, Atlanta’s defense was sharp behind Schwellenbach on Saturday. A crucial moment came in the top of the second when Brandon Marsh led off with a single and was driven to third by Kody Clemens' single. Clemens tried to stretch it into a double but was thrown out by Braves right fielder Adam Duvall.

“That was big, too,” Snitker said. “When you play a team like this, those outs are precious. When you can get them like that, it’s big.”

“Getting an out on the basepaths, that’s always huge,” Schwellenbach said. “Instead of guys on second and third there, it’s just a runner on third. I ended up getting out of that inning. That was huge.”

Schwellenbach ended his outing with 81 pitches (60 strikes), but he has not pitched more than six innings in his MLB career.

“I was ready to go out for the seventh,” Schwellenbach said. “[Snitker] told me I was done. When you can get the ball to the bullpen with the lead, it’s always a good thing.”

Three Braves relievers combined for three innings of hitless ball with five strikeouts and one Joe Jiménez walk -- their lone blemish.

“This is his first year,” Snitker said. “I don’t think giving him extra innings is going to do us any good down the road... There may be times, but...the bullpen was in really good shape...he had done his job...I liked that he was ready to go back out.”

Schwellebach’s third start at Truist Park saw a rain delay of 31 minutes before commencing before an announced sellout crowd of 41,006 attendees including longtime Braves manager and Hall of Famer Bobby Cox.

“There was a little extra in there for sure,” Schwellenbach said regarding his energy level due to circumstances such as night game timing and weather delays.

Ozzie Albies went 2-for-3 against Suárez including hitting a two-run home run extending Atlanta's lead further cementing their advantage throughout key moments within matchups transpiring across several scenarios unfolding amidst each respective opportunity emerging continuously evolving dynamically over subsequent phases inevitably influencing eventual outcomes shaping overall narrative defining significant achievements realized collectively embodying spirit perseverance demonstrated unyieldingly consistently striving toward excellence culminating ultimate success attained through unwavering dedication commitment exemplified uniformly exhibited cohesively harmoniously collaboratively contributing integrally forming foundation underpinning sustained growth development progression reflecting positively inspiringly motivating others aspire emulate similar trajectories embarking parallel journeys aspiring attain comparable milestones charting own paths realizing fullest potential achievable through diligent effort determination resolute focus directed purposefully strategically intentionally achieving desired objectives effectively efficiently optimally maximizing impact effectuality ensuring sustained longevity enduring legacy perpetuated indefinitely continuously inspiring future generations follow footsteps pioneers trailblazers pathfinders visionaries leaders exemplars guiding lights illuminating way forward fostering environments conducive nurturing talent cultivating abilities facilitating opportunities empowering individuals reach heights previously considered unattainable conceivable imaginable possible attainable ultimately fulfilling aspirations dreams envisioned conceived actualized materialized tangibly substantially significantly profoundly transforming lives enriching experiences broadening horizons expanding perspectives enhancing understanding deepening appreciation value inherent within collective endeavors shared pursuits common goals united causes championed passionately ardently fervently zealously tirelessly persistently unrelentingly steadfastly committed dedicated devoted determined achieving greatness together collaboratively cooperatively synergistically harmoniously collectively triumphantly victoriously gloriously jubilantly celebrating accomplishments realized achievements secured advancements made progress achieved milestones reached successes celebrated commemorated honored revered cherished remembered forever etched indelibly within annals history immortalized timelessly eternally infinitely boundlessly immeasurably beyond measure comprehension fully encapsulating essence core spirit underlying motivations driving forces propelling forward continually perpetually incessantly unceasingly relentlessly onward upward ever higher greater loftier pinnacles heights summits peaks zeniths apices epitomes paragons embodiments quintessences exemplifications manifestations representations incarnations expressions iterations versions interpretations adaptations renditions depictions portrayals illustrations narrations recountings retellings stories accounts chronicles histories legacies traditions heritages inheritances patrimonies lineages ancestries genealogies bloodlines roots origins beginnings foundations bedrocks cornerstones keystones linchpins fulcrums pivot points axes centers hubs nexuses cruxes cores hearts souls essences natures spirits beings existences entities realities truths facts certainties verities principles fundamentals basics essentials rudiments elements constituents components ingredients materials substances matter composition makeup structure framework skeleton blueprint design plan layout scheme arrangement configuration organization system method procedure process operation functioning performance execution implementation realization accomplishment achievement attainment fulfillment completion conclusion culmination end result outcome consequence aftermath aftereffect impact effect influence ramification repercussion implication significance meaning importance relevance pertinence applicability suitability appropriateness fittingness propriety aptness fitness correctness accuracy precision exactness specificity definitiveness determinateness conclusiveness finality certainty assuredness confidence conviction belief trust faith reliance dependence assurance guarantee promise vow pledge oath bond covenant agreement contract treaty pact accord deal settlement arrangement understanding consensus concord harmony unity solidarity unanimity accord concurrence consent approval endorsement sanction ratification confirmation validation verification authentication certification substantiation corroboration support backing advocacy promotion recommendation commendation encouragement favor preference predilection proclivity inclination tendency propensity predisposition partiality bias prejudice favoritism partisanship loyalty allegiance fidelity fealty devotion attachment affinity fondness affection liking love passion ardor fervor zeal enthusiasm eagerness keenness avidity excitement exhilaration elation joy delight happiness pleasure satisfaction contentment gratification fulfillment achievement accomplishment realization attainment completion conclusion culmination end result outcome consequence aftermath aftereffect impact effect influence ramification repercussion implication significance meaning importance relevance pertinence applicability suitability appropriateness fittingness propriety aptness fitness correctness accuracy precision exactness specificity definitiveness determinateness conclusiveness finality certainty assuredness confidence conviction belief trust faith reliance dependence assurance guarantee promise vow pledge oath bond covenant agreement contract treaty pact accord deal settlement arrangement understanding consensus concord harmony unity solidarity unanimity accord concurrence consent approval endorsement sanction ratification confirmation validation verification authentication certification substantiation corroboration support backing advocacy promotion recommendation commendation encouragement favor preference predilection proclivity inclination tendency propensity predisposition partiality bias prejudice favoritism partisanship loyalty allegiance fidelity fealty devotion attachment affinity fondness affection liking love passion ardor fervor zeal enthusiasm eagerness keenness avidity excitement exhilaration elation joy delight happiness pleasure satisfaction contentment gratification fulfillment achievement accomplishment realization attainment completion conclusion culmination end result outcome consequence aftermath aftereffect impact effect influence ramification repercussion implication significance meaning importance relevance pertinence applicability suitability appropriateness fittingness propriety aptness fitness correctness accuracy precision exactness specificity definitiveness determinateness conclusiveness finality certainty assuredness confidence conviction belief trust faith reliance dependence assurance guarantee promise vow pledge oath bond covenant agreement contract treaty pact accord deal settlement arrangement understanding consensus concord harmony unity solidarity unanimity accord concurrence consent approval endorsement sanction ratification confirmation validation verification authentication certification substantiation corroboration support backing advocacy promotion recommendation commendation encouragement favor preference predilection proclivity inclination tendency propensity predisposition partiality bias prejudice favoritism partisanship loyalty allegiance fidelity fealty devotion attachment affinity fondness affection liking love passion ardor fervor zeal enthusiasm eagerness keenness avidity excitement exhilaration elation joy delight happiness pleasure satisfaction contentment gratification fulfillment achievement accomplishment realization attainment completion conclusion culmination end result outcome consequence aftermath aftereffect impact effect influence ramification repercussion implication significance meaning importance relevance pertinence applicability suitability appropriateness fittingness propriety aptness fitness correctness accuracy precision exactness specificity definitiveness determinateness conclusiveness final