Gabe Kapler stood just outside the Phillies’ clubhouse late Friday night and offered a grin, having secured the first victory of the season and his first as Phillies manager with a 5-4, 11-inning result over the Braves at SunTrust Park. “Pretty exhilarating,” Kapler said. “I think it was a really shared victory. There were a lot of contributions. A tremendous performance by our bullpen. We’ve discussed this and continue to…

Scott Kingery will make his major league debut tonight as the Phillies aim to bounce back from yesterday’s disastrous 8-5 loss to the Braves at Sun Trust Field. Kingery, 23, signed a $24 million, six-year contract with the Phillies last week that could be worth $65 million over the next nine seasons. “As an organization, this is the best success tory we can have,” general manager Matt Klentak said. “A…

Gabe Kapler knew the questions were going to come about his decision making following the Phillies 8-5 loss to the Braves on Thursday afternoon. In particular, why did he lift Aaron Nola after just 68 pitches in the sixth inning? Why did he believe reliever Hoby Milner had better odds than Nola to get Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis out? “I believe in all of our pitchers,” a resolute Kapler…

Aaron Nola handed the ball over to Gabe Kapler and looked over his shoulder at the scoreboard at Sun Trust Park as he headed to the dugout. He had thrown just 68 pitches. “Surprised,” Nola said afterward. “I was surprised to be coming out.” Nola was cruising and looked comfortable, despite surrendering a leadoff double to Ender Inciarte to open the sixth inning. Kapler was quick with his hook though…

In the most anticipated season in nearly half a decade, the Phillies kick things off this afternoon with a contest against the division rival Atlanta Braves. Gabe Kapler’s first lineup as the Phillies’ skipper was without Odubel Herrera who is expected to be the club’s everyday centerfielder. Kapler said the decision to start Aaron Altherr in center over Herrera was based on offensive and defensive matchups. The move shouldn’t come…