It was a mixed bag this weekend.

The Phillies lost two of three to the Braves in Atlanta. Those losses were polar opposites of one another.

Let’s begin on Friday, where the Phils led 5-1 after five innings and 8-6 in the bottom of the ninth. Atlanta scored eight runs in the final four innings, three of them in the ninth to take a 9-8 walk-off win on a Brian McCann single (and his 1,000th RBI). You can blame Hector Neris for that collapse, allowing the game-winner with a 2-2 count. Two weeks ago, he gave up a walk-off homer to Will Smith in the Dodgers’ 4-3 win.

Saturday was better, as the Phils came back to beat the Braves. Josh Donaldson gave Atlanta a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the fifth on a three-run homer. But after a Scott Kingery single and Sean Rodriguez reached via a sacrifice bunt thanks to a throwing error, Cesar Hernandez drove home both runners in the top of the ninth to give the Phillies the lead. And unlike Friday night, Neris had a 1-2-3 inning to earn the save.

Sunday was a very bad day. If you didn’t watch the game, you did yourself a favor as the Phils got trounced 15-1. Atlanta scored runs in all but two innings (second and eighth) and scored multiple runs in those innings except for the sixth. Vince Velasquez, Cole Irvin, and Jerad Eickhoff all sucked. Sean Rodriguez was the team’s best pitcher. He pitched an inning, had a strikeout, and didn’t allow a hit.

This was a big series for the Phillies, but they’re now 2 1/2 games back of the Braves for tops in the NL East. There’s still plenty of pitching problems, especially with that fifth starter spot. Pat Neshek came off the injured list on Sunday, which should help the bullpen.

With that, the Phillies continue their long NL East stretch with a four-game set beginning tonight against the Nationals at 7:05 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Jake Arrieta’s on the mound against Patrick Corbin.

While you wait, you can enjoy former Phillie Brett Myers’ new album if you want.

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The Roundup:


Start the week off with the latest edition of the Crossing Broadcast.

Here’s another set of 50 hot takes for the Philadelphia sports fan.


The Eagles named Andy Weidl their new Vice President of Player Personnel. Howie Roseman got a new title and is officially a general manager again.


The Flyers made a couple of moves over the weekend. They traded away defenseman Radko Gudas to Washington for defenseman Matt Niskanen.

And they’re buying out Andrew MacDonald’s contract.


While the Raptors celebrated to Meek Mill, Sixers fans should have a “glass half-full” reaction to Toronto winning the NBA Finals.

But the Sixers are one of the betting favorites to win it all next year.


In other sports news, the Lakers traded for Anthony Davis. They’re also reportedly interested in Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard. I mean who isn’t?

Gary Woodland held off Brooks Koepka to win the U.S. Open.

The US Women’s National team defeated Chile, 3-0, on Sunday.

Sorry for burying the lead, but our very own Bob Wankel was named the Inquirer’s South Jersey Baseball Coach of the Year.


In the news, 16 employees reportedly accepted buyouts at the Inquirer.

A fire occurred at a Sea Isle marina, and there’s now calls for a full-time fire department there.