Larry Henry Jr
Cover Photo Credit: Getty Images
It was a memorable day at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday as the Philadelphia Phillies moved one step closer to returning to the National League Championship Series.
Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos both blasted two home runs apiece as the Phillies finished with a franchise postseason record six overall in a 10-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Aaron Nola shined on the mound for the Phillies, registering nine strikeouts and allowing just two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Despite falling behind 1-0 after Ozzie Albies’ RBI single in the third inning, the Phillies hit back in a major way and never stopped punching.
Castellanos’ solo homer in the bottom of the third tied the game at 1-1 before Harper propelled the Phillies in front with a monster three-run shot later in the inning.
HE TRIED TO WARN ‘EM pic.twitter.com/284lM8XeFM
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 11, 2023
J.T. Realmuto also added a two-run double to pad the Phillies lead at 6-1 and continue the offensive dominance.
DRIVE ‘EM HOME J.T. pic.twitter.com/TQD2lNqepl
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 11, 2023
Harper would extend the Phillies lead to 7-1 in the bottom of the fifth after blasting a solo shot to center field.
Atta-boy, Harper pic.twitter.com/mcThfdrC3s
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 11, 2023
Trea Turner and Brandon Marsh also added their names to the stat sheet while Castellanos also notched his second homer of the nigh with the Phillies adding insult to injury.
Rob Thomson’s bullpen was stellar after Nola exited in the sixth inning, with Matt Strahm, Seranthony Dominguez, and Orion Kerkering, and Michael Lorenzen all seeing action.
The Phillies bullpen did not allow a run in the final 3 1/3 innings as they claimed a 2-1 series lead heading into Thursday’s Game 4 on home soil.
Spencer Strider, who pitched Game 1 in Atlanta last weekend, is set to take the mound in a win-or-go-home game for the Braves on Thursday. No official decision has been made yet on who will pitch for the Phillies, but Ranger Suarez is set to get the ball for the Phillies.
A victory on Thursday night would set the Phillies up with a NLCS showdown against either the Arizona Diamondbacks or Los Angeles Dodgers next week.