The Philadelphia Phillies won two of three against the Atlanta Braves to strengthen their grip on the NL East. After a turbulent few weeks to open the season, Philly has settled into a nice groove. Their division rivals, meanwhile, continue to stall. The Phillies now lead the Mets by 2.0 games and the Braves by 9.5 games.

Backup catcher Rafael Marchan hit a two-run home run, drove in the go-ahead run when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the eighth inning and caught two runners stealing, helping the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday.

Rafael Marchán gets hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, plating Johan Rojas and giving the Phillies a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the 8th

ATLANTA — Atlanta Braves rookie right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver has a torn UCL in his pitching elbow, the team said Friday.

Rafael Marchán might have the toughest role of any Phillies player: Backup catcher. Marchán took advantage of a rare chance to play and figured prominently offensively and defensively in the Phillies’ 5-4 win overt the Atlanta Braves in the first game of a day/night doubleheader Thursday afternoon.

Rafael Marchán discusses throwing out two baserunners at second, his two-run homer and more following the Phillies' 5-4 win