Alec Bohm hit a decissive 10th-inning home run to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. The victory at Truist Park ensures the National League Wild Card Series will be decided in a winner-take-all Game 3.
Alec Bohm's 357-foot blast and the 8th-inning rally
The Philadelphia Phillies overcame a 3-1 deficit late in the game, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in the eighth inning. According to the report, the game remained deadlocked at 3-3 until the 10th inning, when Alec Bohm hit a 357-foot home run to right field off right-hander Didier Fuentes. This mark represented Bohm's third career home run in the postseason.
The rally underscores a resilience that has defined the Philadelphia Phillies' recent October runs.. By forcing a Game 3, the Phillies have successfully neutralized the early momentum the Atlanta Braves established in the opening game of the series.
The first postseason game to end on an ABS challenge
The conclusion of the game featured a historic first for Major League Baseball, as the contest ended following a successful Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge. Andrew Painter, a regular-season starter who stepped in to provide three scoreless innings of relief,threw a 0-2 fastball to Dominic Smith that was initially called inside by umpire Adam Beck. As reported, Painter and catcher J.T. realmuto immediately challenged the call, and the ABS system confirmed the pitch clipped the strike zone for the final out.
This integration of technology into the high-stakes environment of the National League Wild Card Series highlights the league's shift toward objective strike-zone officiating. Andrew Painter's ability to strand two runners in the 10th inning while navigating this new technical landscape was pivotal in protecting a taxed Philadelphia Phillies bullpen.
Bryce Harper's fielding error and the Phillies' historical edge
The game was nearly decided in the seventh inning when a double by Drake Baldwin glanced off the glove of Bryce Harper in right field, allowing Sean Murphy to score and giving the Atlanta Braves a 2-1 lead. Harper, who only returned to the outfield late this season for the first time since 2022, admitted the ball "probably should have been caught ," though he was not officially charged with an error.
Despite this lapse, the Philadelphia Phillies hold a significant psychological advantage in this matchup. the team has consistently dominated the Atlanta Braves in recent postseason encounters, securing victories in the 1993 NLCS as well as the 2022 and 2023 NLDS.. This historical trend suggests that Philadelphia remains comfortable in high-pressure situations against this specific opponent.
Aaron Nola and Grant Holmes face off in Game 3
The series now moves to a winner-take-all finale on Thursday, with the Atlanta Braves expected to utilize right-hander Grant Holmes, who carries a 3.44 ERA, either as a starter or in a bulk relief role. He will face Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola, who enters the game with a 7-12 record and a 4.67 ERA.
Several critical variables remain unresolved heading into the final game.. It is currently unclear if Edmundo Sosa will be available to play after aggravating a leg injury in the ninth inning, which forced his replacement by pinch-runner Derek Hill. Additionally, the final start time for Game 3—either 2:15 p.m. ET or 8:15 p.m. ET—remains dependent on the results of other Wild Card Series matchups.
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