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Luzardo blows past opener label with 5 strong frames in Game 1

Jesús Luzardo returned from a three-week absence due to left shoulder inflammation to start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series for the Philadelphia Phillies against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Despite Braves manager Walt Weiss acknowledging skepticism from Don Mattingly regarding Luzardo serving merely as an opener, the left-hander delivered five strong innings, permitting just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out six batters before handing the ball to rookie reliever Alex McFarlane in the sixth.

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