The Phillies just pulled off a wild 4-3 victory over the Braves in 10 innings in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series, and no joke, they needed three home runs just to stay alive. This win forces a decisive third game tomorrow at Truist Park, and honestly, the comeback itself wasn’t even the craziest part of the whole damn thing.
Schwarber and Harper Go Yard to Stun the Braves
So, Atlanta was sitting pretty, just six outs away from sweeping Philly after dropping two runs in the seventh inning. Drake Baldwin’s RBI double broke a 1-1 tie, and then Matt Olson tacked on another with a sacrifice fly. Tyler Mahle had cruised through seven innings of one-run ball for the Braves, so things were looking bleak for the Phillies. But then, Atlanta went to the bullpen, and that was the opening Philadelphia needed. Kyle Schwarber wasted no time, absolutely launching a 447-foot bomb to right-center against Dylan Lee, cutting the lead to one. And before anyone could even breathe, Bryce Harper followed it up with a 418-foot shot to right-center, tying the game up right there! What a gut punch for the Braves. Harper, by the way, also drove in Philly’s first run way back in the first inning with a single that scored Trea Turner. But after that, the Phillies bats went silent for six straight innings, leaving their big hitters with some serious work to do late in the game. And boy, did they deliver together.
Bohm Delivers the Lead, Painter Survives a Wild Finish
The drama wasn’t over. With the game tied in the top of the 10th, Alec Bohm stepped up with two outs after Schwarber struck out and Harper grounded out. Bohm cranked a 357-foot homer to right off Didier Fuentes, and just like that, Philadelphia had its first lead since the opening inning. Protecting that lead meant more high-wire tension from Andrew Painter. The right-hander had come in during the eighth and kept the game tied through the ninth, but the Braves threatened again in the 10th. Mauricio Dubón and Michael Harris II singled, putting runners on first and second with two outs. Dominic Smith came in to pinch-hit for Sean Murphy, representing the potential tying run on second base. Then, in a finish you absolutely have to see to believe, the game ended with an automated ball-strike challenge strikeout, sealing Philadelphia’s escape and leaving those runners stranded. After losing Game 1 by a 5-3 margin, the Phillies pulled off a comeback that straight-up saved their season.
Atlanta’s chance to end the series is gone. The Phillies earned another day of October baseball, and now it’s all on the line in Game 3 tomorrow at Truist Park. You know everyone’s gonna be glued to this one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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