NLDS Game 2 - Casty, Resilient Phils Battle Back to Walk It Off!

Phillies 7, Mets 6
NLDS Game 2 - Sunday Afternoon, October 6th in Philadelphia
Series tied, 1-1

One Sentence Summary:  Lethargic early on, the Phillies piled on dramatic hits late, capped by Nick Castellanos' game-winning single in this exhausting 7-6 win over the Mets.

What It Means:  The series is tied up, and will resume with Game 3 on Tuesday.  After spending most of the weekend tense, it's nice to go into Monday in a good mood.

What Happened:  Continuing the theme from Saturday, the Phillies looked lifeless at the plate through the first five innings.  Cristopher Sanchez battled through his five innings of work, allowing a two-run home run to Mark Vientos in the third.  Jose Ruiz surrendered a Pete Alonso solo home run in the sixth to give the Mets a 3-0 lead.  In the bottom of the sixth, all with two outs, Trea Turner singled and then Bryce Harper and Castellanos went back-to-back with home runs to tie the game, 3-3.  There was finally some life at the ballpark.

The Mets quickly re-took the lead in the top of the seventh when Brandon Nimmo hit a two-out, solo home run off Orion Kerkering.  But the Phillies would continue to punch back.  In the bottom of the eighth, Harper walked, Castellanos singled, and Bryson Stott tripled them both home to give the Phillies a 5-4 lead.  Stott would score an insurance run on a ground ball hit by J.T. Realmuto to Vientos at third, that should have been called an error when Vientos couldn't handle it.  The Phillies held a 6-4 lead.

In the top of the ninth, looking to close it out, Matt Strahm allowed a single to Francisco Lindor and then a game-tying, two-run home run to Vientos.  The Phillies would need another comeback in the bottom of the ninth, and they'd deliver.  Again with two outs, Turner and Harper both drew walks off Tylor Megill.  Castellanos lined a single to left to score Turner, sending the jubilant Phillies onto the field to celebrate one of the most thrilling wins in their postseason history.

Featured Card:  Stott and Castellanos had the big hits, so they get the highlight card.  I could have easily given Castellanos both panels of this 1984 Topps-inspired design.

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2024 Chachi #67 NLDS Game 1 / 2024 Chachi #69 NLDS Game 3