The Philadelphia Phillies walk into Citizens Bank Park with a chip on their shoulder. It is game 4 of the National League Divisional Series against their division rivals, the Atlanta Braves. The staredown seen around the world with laser eyes from Phillies superstar Bryce Harper to Braves Shortstop Orlando Arcia sets the tone of all games going forward. The Phightins wearing their retro powder uniforms are all business in the NLDS. They are coming off a 10-2 routing last night and hope to keep the power flowing. The Phillies would bash their way to the NLCS on the backs of Castellanos, Turner, and Harper.
Three Solo Home Runs Would Be Just Enough
The Phillies get runners on the base path quickly in the first inning. After Schwarber’s strikeout, Trea Turner hits a double to left field. Spencer Strider throws three consecutive balls to Bryce Harper, then calls for the intentional walk. Unfortunately, following Alec Bohm’s strikeout, Bryson Stott flies out to center field to end the first. The same scenario was in the second and third innings. Philly has two players reach base but come up short.
The Braves draw first blood in the 4th inning. Austin Riley hits a line drive homerun to left field, barely leaving the yard. Matt Olson would single to left field, but the Phillies would get out of the top of the fourth with a double play ball with Turner and Harper. The Phillies have Deja Vu from last night. Being down one nothing, a Nick Castellanos solo homerun ties the game back up.
In the 5th, Trea Turner wanted the lead and took it with a solo shot, putting the Phightins up 2-1. In the 6th inning, Nick Castellanos has even more deja Vu with another solo shot. Two nights in a row, Castellanos goes yard twice—the 45,831 in attendance erupted.
Ranger Danger
Ranger Suarez dominates through the first three innings. No base runners were allowed except for the throwing error on Trea Turner to Bryce Harper. He would only allow two base runners for the next two innings. Ranger’s only mistake was to Austin Riley for a solo home run in the 4th inning.
SerAnthony Dominguez would come in relief in the sixth. He would record the first two outs and allow a single to Austin Riley. SerAnthony would get a quick hook, and Jose Alvarado would come in for the third out. Alvarado would get Braves first baseman to fly out to centerfielder Johan Rojas.
Later Inning Heriocs
Alvarado and Craig Kimbrel combine forces for the 7th inning. They didn’t make it easy for the fans in the stands. Jose gets two outs before allowing back-to-back walks to Pillar and Arcia. Kimbrel didn’t slow the forty-five thousand’s hearts down. He walks his first batter, loading the bases for the Braves. Ronald Acuna Jr has a back-and-forth battle with Kimbrel. He hits a well-placed shot to the centerfield wall. Johan Rojas plays spoiler for the Braves with the best catch of his young career.
Kimbrel would come out in the eighth record two outs, with Albies flying out to centerfield and striking out Austin Riley. Gregory Soto would enter the fold. He would get Matt Olson to ground out, but not without incident. While fielding the play, Bryce Harper was struck in the right arm by Olson’s knee. He would return to first base in the 9th inning.
Soto would attempt to close the game out. He would walk the first batter, Marcell Ozuna, and Sean Murphy would single, putting runners on the corner. Matt Strahm would enter the game. He would shut the door on the Braves postseason dreams and send the Phillies to their 2nd NLCS in a row.
Post Season Bash Brothers
Bryce Harper continues to win the hearts of Philadelphians. His clutch hits and flare for the dramatics make him the perfect guy for this club and city. Going into tonight’s game, Bryce Harper was slashing .282/.376.635 with a 1.010 OPS. Among all players in MLB postseason history (minimum 150 plate appearances), Harper’s .635 SLG ranks 3rd only behind some guys named Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. In Harper’s post-season record against the Braves, he has been to the plate 32 times. He is 13-27 with 9 runs, 3 doubles, 5 home runs, 10 RBIs, and 4 walks. Harper would strike fear into Strider with two walks(one was intentional) and a single.
He was joined by Nick Castellanos who played the game of his life. He would have two solo homer runs along a single and a walk. His home runs were “no doubt about it” missiles. Trea Turner would also add a solo home run as well as a single and a double. The trio would equate for most of the Phillie offense for the night. It was all they would need. They head to the NLCS to take on the equally as hot Arizona Diamondbacks.
Al is one of the two co-creators of Edge of Philly Sports. Al started radio and podcasting in 2012 and covering sports in 2015. A lifelong Philly sports fan since watching the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers with his grandfathers at age 7. Al always looks at the other side of the hot topics and gives his different outlook on those topics. Web and Graphic Design.
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