ATLANTA – Staring down the potential end of their postseason run, the Philadelphia Phillies found their power late to secure a crucial victory on Wednesday, September 30, at Truist Park. Alec Bohm smashed a go-ahead solo home run in the 10th inning, lifting the Phillies to a 4-3 win over the Atlanta Braves and forcing a decisive Game 3 in their National League Wild Card Series.
Entering the afternoon facing elimination following a 5-3 loss in Game 1, the Phillies trailed 3-1 late in the contest. However, back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning sparked a dramatic comeback, and rookie Andrew Painter delivered three scoreless innings out of the bullpen to lock down the victory in his playoff debut.
The team displayed strong resilience by erasing a late deficit under intense pressure. Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday, with the series winner advancing.
Late-Inning Fireworks Erase Braves’ Lead
For much of the afternoon, Atlanta starter Tyler Mahle kept the Philadelphia bats quiet. He allowed just one run on six hits over seven strong innings. The Braves built a 2-1 lead in the seventh when Drake Baldwin ripped a double off the glove of Bryce Harper in right field, driving in Sean Murphy. Matt Olson later added a sacrifice fly to extend Atlanta’s advantage to 3-1.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the top of the eighth. Facing Braves reliever Dylan Lee, Kyle Schwarber launched a mammoth 447-foot solo home run to right field. Just pitches later, Bryce Harper atoned for his earlier defensive miscue by sending a slider over the wall for a 418-foot shot, tying the game at 3-3 and stunning the Truist Park crowd.
Extra-Inning Heroics From Alec Bohm
With the game deadlocked heading into the 10th inning, Alec Bohm stepped up to the plate against Atlanta right-hander Didier Fuentes. Nearing free agency, Bohm drove a 1-1 fastball 357 feet over the right-field wall to break the 3-3 tie.
In the bottom of the 10th, rookie Andrew Painter navigated trouble after giving up a one-out single to Mauricio Dubón and a subsequent hit to Michael Harris II. With runners on base, Painter faced Dominic Smith in a dramatic showdown. Plate umpire Adam Beck initially called an inside pitch a ball on an 0-2 count, but Painter and catcher J.T. Realmuto immediately requested an automated ball-strike challenge. Replays confirmed the pitch clipped the zone, marking the first time a postseason game has ended on a strike-zone appeal.
Pitching Duel and Key Contributions
Philadelphia starter Cristopher Sánchez delivered a gutsy performance, throwing a career-high 116 pitches over 6.6 innings. Sánchez kept the team alive by escaping a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning, inducing a sharp 3-2-3 double play from Michael Harris II off Alec Bohm’s glove at first base.
The Phillies adjusted their defensive alignment for the series, placing Bohm at first base and moving Bryce Harper to right field following Luis Arraez’s absence due to a rolled ankle. Meanwhile, Atlanta saw concerns grow when infielder Edmundo Sosa left the game in the ninth inning after legging out an infield single and appearing to aggravate a leg injury.
Looking Ahead to Game 3
The win forces a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday afternoon. The Braves are expected to turn to right-hander Grant Holmes, while the Phillies will counter with right-hander Aaron Nola as both clubs battle for a spot in the next round of the postseason.
Game Summary Statistics
- Final Score: Philadelphia Phillies 4, Atlanta Braves 3 (10 innings)
- Winning Pitcher: Andrew Painter (1-0)
- Losing Pitcher: Didier Fuentes (0-1)
- Key Home Runs: Kyle Schwarber (PHI), Bryce Harper (PHI), Alec Bohm (PHI)
- Series Status: Tied 1-1
