| St. Louis Cardinals | 4 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 6 |
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| 2026 Topps Now #588 |
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
73-58, 2nd Place, 3 games behind the Braves
73-58, 2nd Place, 3 games behind the Braves
One Sentence Summary: Down to their last strike four times in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Phillies staged an improbable six-run, come-from-behind win, capped by Kyle Schwarber's moonshot of a two-run home run that cleared the batter's eye in center field.
What It Means: From the great Sarah Langs, before this win, the last time the Phillies won a game in which they trailed by four or more runs and down to their last batter was April 13, 1983 against the Mets. Bo Diaz hit a walk-off grand slam in that game to give the Phillies a 10-9 win, and I clearly remember listening to the game on my clock radio from my 12th Street bedroom.
What Happened: The Phillies did absolutely nothing through eight innings against Cardinals' pitching. They had collected five hits and were sleepwalking to a 4-0 loss, ready for a lengthy flight to Seattle. Cristopher Sanchez had given up four runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings. The Cardinals brought in their All-Star closer, Riley O'Brien, to get some work in a non-save situation.
What It Means: From the great Sarah Langs, before this win, the last time the Phillies won a game in which they trailed by four or more runs and down to their last batter was April 13, 1983 against the Mets. Bo Diaz hit a walk-off grand slam in that game to give the Phillies a 10-9 win, and I clearly remember listening to the game on my clock radio from my 12th Street bedroom.
What Happened: The Phillies did absolutely nothing through eight innings against Cardinals' pitching. They had collected five hits and were sleepwalking to a 4-0 loss, ready for a lengthy flight to Seattle. Cristopher Sanchez had given up four runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings. The Cardinals brought in their All-Star closer, Riley O'Brien, to get some work in a non-save situation.
Bryce Harper doubled to lead off the inning, then Luis Arraez and Brandon Marsh both flew out to left. J.T. Realmuto singled to center, moving Harper to third. Justin Crawford walked to load the bases. Edmundo Sosa doubled on a ground ball just fair down the third base line, clearing the bases and making it a 4-3 game. Bryan De La Cruz was up next, and he singled Sosa home to tie the game. Schwarber's two run home run that came next will be shown on Phillies highlight reels for years to come, and is the kind of thing that happens during a season where maybe something special is brewing. It was the ninth win in a row for the Phillies, and they've not lost since before their trip to Iowa.
Featured Card: Topps Now gave us a Schwarber card, but I wish they had used a photo showing his massive bat flip.
Featured Card: Topps Now gave us a Schwarber card, but I wish they had used a photo showing his massive bat flip.
Field Report: I was not technically at the ballgame, but I was driving by Citizens Bank Park about to get on the Walt Whitman Bridge southbound when Schwarber hit his bomb. We had just dropped off our oldest son Doug for his second year of college at Villanova, and the bittersweet ride home was improved by the 18-minute improbable rally the Phillies staged in the bottom of the ninth. I could see Phanavision as the Phillies celebrated at home plate.
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