Poetry in motion: Phillies Storm Back to Beat Atlanta 5-4

Tonight, the Phillies did something they haven’t been able to do in months: they fought back. For a while, it felt like any time this team faced a multi-run deficit, they practically just waved the white flag. Tonight, though, was different. After falling behind 4-0 and making the crowd absolutely dead, the Phillies rallied back for what will no doubt be a signature win when we reflect on the Phillies season.

The Bullpen is Back

Before we touch on the insanely clutch 3.1 innings of work from the ‘pen, Cristopher Sanchez was given the nod at home to start the series. All year long, he has been one of the best pitchers in baseball when pitching at home, but unfortunately, tonight was not as smooth of sailing. Nevertheless, Sanchez still managed to give the Phillies a quality outing.

In the second inning, he allowed a towering double to Orlando Arcia, which scored Michael Harris, II. Not long after, Matt Olson stole the show, hitting not one but two home runs against Sanchez. He would pitch 5.2 innings, allowing four runs, but only two of them earned due to an error by Trea Turner.

Then came the bullpen. During this slump for the Phils, the bullpen has been shaky at best and downright terrible at worst. Already trailing 4-0, the bullpen was going to have to be perfect if the Phillies were going to win. Spoiler: they were perfect.

Orion Kerkering finished the sixth inning and followed it up with a 1-2-3 seventh inning. Matt Strahm had some trouble after hitting Travis d’Arnaud, but he battled to get out of the inning. Finally, Jeff Hoffman, who had especially struggled since the break, delivered a stone-cold 1-2-3 ninth inning to seal the victory. In 3.1 IP beautiful innings pitched by the Phillies’ bullpen, the Braves didn’t record a single hit.

June Schwarber and… August Castellanos?

The Phillies’ offense was dead. It was looking like another frustrating night to add to the collection in August. Going into the bottom of sixth inning, the Phillies had already left two runners in scoring position and were down by four.

Then, with one swing of the bat, it happened. Brandon Marsh brought the team back to life and the city along with him. After singles from both J.T. Realmuto and Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh sent a three-run homer into the stands, and just like that, the game was back up for grabs.

Then, it was Casty’s turn. Trea Turner worked a walk to start the seventh inning, and a sacrifice bunt from Bryce Harper followed by an Edmundo Sosa groundout set up Castellanos for the most important at-bat of the night. With the tying run on third base and two away, Castellanos had the opportunity to turn the tide and make it a new ballgame. But Castellanos wasn’t going for the tie. He got a fastball down the middle and didn’t miss, sending it 417 feet and putting the Phillies out in front for the first time all night. The crowd was electric, the team was ecstatic, and the game was in the Phillies’ hands, and this time, they didn’t let go.