Full Breakdown
Alec Bohm’s 10th-Inning Blast Sends Phillies to Decisive Game 3 vs. Braves
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
In Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series, the Phillies rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Braves 4-3. After eighth-inning home runs by Kyle Schwarber (447 ft) and Bryce Harper (418 ft) tied the game, Alec Bohm delivered a two-out, 357-foot solo shot in the top of the 10th off right-hander Didier Fuentes. Reliever Andrew Painter closed with three scoreless innings, sealing the win.
Background & Context
The Phillies and Braves have met three times in the postseason over the past five years, with Philadelphia winning each series. Both entered as NL East rivals, the Braves as division champion and the Phillies as the final wild-card entrant.
Key Figures & Groups
- Alec Bohm — first baseman, .249 average
- Bryce Harper — outfielder, eighth-inning homer
- Kyle Schwarber — designated hitter, first tying homer
- Andrew Painter — right-hander, earned the win
- Cristopher Sánchez — starter, 6 2/3 innings, 116 pitches
- Tyler Mahle — Braves starter, seven innings
- Don Mattingly — Phillies manager
- Walt Weiss — Braves manager
Timeline
- 7th inning: Harper’s leaping catch attempt drops, allowing a double that puts Atlanta up 2-1.
- 8th inning: Schwarber homers, then Harper’s blast ties the game at 3-3.
- Top 10th: Bohm’s solo homer puts Philadelphia ahead 4-3.
- Bottom 10th: Painter strikes out Dominic Smith after an ABS challenge confirms a strike, ending the game.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Phillies 4, Braves 3.
- Bohm’s postseason homer count: third career postseason HR.
- Pitching: Mahle (1 run, 6 hits, 7 IP); Sánchez (3 runs, 6 2/3 IP); Painter (3 scoreless IP, 1 K).
- ABS challenge: first postseason game concluded with a strike-zone appeal.
Why It Matters / Impact
The win forces a winner-take-all Game 3, extending Philadelphia’s postseason run and keeping its NLDS hopes alive. Bohm’s clutch hit could boost his free-agency market, and the successful ABS challenge underscores MLB’s expanding use of instant-review technology.
Official Statements & Responses
Phillies manager Don Mattingly said third-baseman Edmundo Sosa’s ninth-inning exit “does not appear to be serious,” indicating the injury should not affect Game 3. The league confirmed the ABS challenge as the first postseason strike-zone appeal.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Probably should have been caught, obviously,” — Bryce Harper
- “That's a career-altering performance, in my opinion,” — J.T. Realmuto
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Game 3’s start time is undecided; the Braves have listed 2:15 p.m. ET or 8:15 p.m. ET pending other Wild Card outcomes. No details on the Braves’ pitching rotation have been released.
What’s Next
Game 3 will be at Truist Park on Thursday. The Braves are expected to start Grant Holmes or use a bulk-relief approach, while the Phillies may turn to Aaron Nola or Zack Wheeler on short rest. The winner advances to the NL Division Series.