Trea Turner’s defensive performance played a key role in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 3-2 extra-inning win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. The shortstop made several notable plays in the early innings, setting up his game-winning two-run single in the bottom of the 10th.
“He was telling me before the game, ‘Hey, just strike them all out,’” Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez said via a team interpreter.
Turner faced multiple fielding challenges from Atlanta hitters and successfully handled each one. His efforts contributed to a three-hit night, including his seventh career walk-off hit. With this win, the Phillies extended their lead in the National League East to six games over the New York Mets.
Turner now leads the NL with 168 hits this season and is on track for the franchise’s first 200-hit season since Jimmy Rollins in 2007. He is also projected to steal 40 bases and score a career-high 109 runs.
“He did everything tonight,” manager Rob Thomson said. “Three hits, a walk, the game-winning RBI, played great in the infield.”
Turner has improved defensively after struggling during his first two seasons with Philadelphia. Between 2023 and 2024, he recorded 40 errors—the second most among all players—and ranked last among shortstops in defensive runs saved with -26. In contrast, so far this year Turner has accumulated 14 outs above average (OAA), ranking fourth among MLB shortstops overall. He has excelled particularly on plays to his right, posting 11 OAA—second only to Bobby Witt Jr.—and adding three OAA on plays to his left.
“I always felt like I should be a better defender than I was in the past,” Turner said. “I knew I was capable, and it wasn’t from a lack of effort or work. … So it feels really good to kind of finally be the defender I thought I should be for a lot longer.”
Sánchez praised Turner’s progress: “It feels amazing [to have Turner playing behind me], and it’s just great to see how much he has improved back there.”
Manager Thomson added that Turner’s defensive gains are important as Philadelphia prepares for postseason play with pitchers who rely on ground balls.
“Our infield is solid right now,” Thomson said. “ … I love our defense.”
