Phillies 3, Pirates 2 (10 Innings)
Game 157 - Tuesday Night, September 26th in Philadelphia
Record - 88-69, 2nd Place, 13 games behind the Braves
One Sentence Summary: With a dramatic, extra-inning walk-off single, Johan Rojas drove the winning run home and triggered an on-field celebration that would continue in a champagne-soaked clubhouse.
What It Means: For the second year in a row, the Phillies are heading to the postseason. They'll now use the final five games of the regular season to gear up for the Cubs, Diamondbacks or Marlins, with the Wild Card series kicking off on Tuesday in Philadelphia. Hard to believe, Harry.
What Happened: The Phillies were held hitless through five innings until Brandon Marsh led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run off Pirates' starting pitcher Mitch Keller. Bryce Harper drove in a second run with a sacrifice fly. Aaron Nola kept the Pirates from scoring until the top of the seventh when Bryan Reynolds led off with a home run. Nola, who struck out eight in this game and has now crossed the 200-strikeout mark for the season, allowed a run on four hits. He joins only Steve Carlton as Phillies pitchers with at least five seasons of 200 or more strikeouts. Carlton had seven, and Nola may not get another shot at getting closer to Lefty if this is indeed Nola's final season in Philadelphia.
What It Means: For the second year in a row, the Phillies are heading to the postseason. They'll now use the final five games of the regular season to gear up for the Cubs, Diamondbacks or Marlins, with the Wild Card series kicking off on Tuesday in Philadelphia. Hard to believe, Harry.
Craig Kimbrel entered in the eighth and allowed a game-tying solo home run to Henry Davis, ultimately sending the game to extra innings. Jose Alvarado pitched a perfect ninth and Jeff Hoffman escaped unscathed in the top of the 10th. With pinch-runner Cristian Pache at second base as the ghost runner in the bottom of the 10th, Rojas singled to center, scoring Pache and clinching a 2023 postseason spot for the Phillies.
Featured Card: I could get used to creating these playoff-clinching highlight cards! Unfortunately, I had to enjoy this win partially from the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport and partially from the Hilton Anatole, where I was staying for a work conference. Fortunately, the playoffs and World Series will be over by the time I have to travel back to Dallas for the next conference.
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