PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies saw Saturday night how quickly things can change in the playoffs.
They were up 3-0 with two outs in the sixth inning of Game 1 of the best-of-five National League Division Series.
The fans were on the edge of their seats, visions of a deep playoff run dancing in their heads.
Then it all fell apart.
Teoscar Hernandez’s three-run home run in the top of the seventh wiped away a one-run deficit and propelled Los Angeles to a 5-3 win before 45,777 fans at Citizens Bank Park.
Hero: With two outs and two on in the top of the seventh, Hernandez lofted a 91.8 mph fastball from Phillies reliever Matt Strahm toward the right field stands. Phillies center fielder Harrison Bader drifted backwards. He appeared to be settling under it, but the ball kept carrying and landed in the stands 394 feet from home plate.
Tough nights: Kyle Schwarber was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts. The first three hitters in the Phillies order — Trea Turner, Schwarber and Bryce Harper — were a combined 1 for 11 with six strikeouts.
Unsung star: Kiké Hernandez’s two-out, two-run double in the top of the sixth cut the Phillies lead to 3-2 and ignited the Dodgers’ comeback.
Turning point: Phillies reliever David Robertson got the final out of the sixth inning. Phillies manager Rob Thomson brought Robertson back out for the top of the seventh.
It was a questionable decision.
Robertson gave up a single to leadoff hitter Andy Pages and the hit Will Smith.
Thomson brought Strahm into the game. Two batters later, Hernandez hit the winning home run.
Why not have Strahm start the inning?
Did you notice?: Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani allowed just one hit in his final four innings on the mound. … Ohtani struck out four times as a hitter. Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez got him swinging at a changeup in the first, looking at a sinker in the third and looking at another sinker in the fifth. Strahm struck Ohtani out looking at a fastball in the seventh. … Phillies center fielder Harrison Bader left the game in the bottom of the seventh with a strained left hamstring. … The Phillies have lost four of their last five playoff games at Citizens Bank Park, dating to the 2023 NL Championship Series.
Contact: 609-272-7209
MMcGarry@PressofAC.com
X @ACPressMcGarry
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Mike McGarry
Staff Writer
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