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Braves earn crucial win on anniversary of Hank Aaron home run
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias celebrates with catcher Sean Murphy after a victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Braves earn crucial win over Phillies on anniversary of Hank Aaron's 715th home run

A regular-season win in the 10th game of the season has never felt so sweet for the Atlanta Braves. 

On the 51st anniversary of Hank Aaron's historic 715th home run on April 8, 1974, the Braves earned a crucial win over a division rival at home that could serve as a much-need shot in the arm. 

Atlanta came into Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies with an abysmal 1-8 record, having just won its first game of the season on Friday against the Miami Marlins. On Tuesday, Atlanta and Phillies took part in a back-and-forth affair that ended with the Braves snagging their second victory of the season. 

Philadelphia struck first and took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the lead swapped hands several times throughout the course of the game. The Braves took a 3-1 lead after Sean Murphy went yard in his first plate appearance of the season before giving up four unanswered runs to the Phillies, who in turn, allowed Atlanta to score the final four runs of the contest. 

With the game tied at five runs apiece in the bottom of the seventh inning, Austin Riley hit his second double of the night to drive in Marcell Ozuna, giving Atlanta a 6-5 lead. In the eighth, a wild pitch from Philadelphia reliever Tanner Banks allowed Orlando Arcia to score a crucial insurance run. 

From there, the Braves looked like themselves. Braves closer Raisel Iglesias earned the save in the ninth, and the Atlanta faithful who made the trip to Truist Park were finally given a show worth watching. 

The Braves (2-8) will take on the Phillies on Wednesday and Thursday as they seek their first series win of the 2025 season. 

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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