For eight innings, Tuesday’s game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves seemed normal. Then, the ninth inning happened.
The Braves led 4-3 going into the final inning. Rhys Hoskins led off the inning for Philadelphia with a foul out to the catcher. After that, though, Alec Bohm walked, bringing Bryce Harper up as the go-ahead run. Harper did not disappoint.
The Braves did retire the next two hitters. But now, instead of likely not having to deal with a bottom of the ninth inning at all, Atlanta was now trailing by a run going into it.
That did not last long.
Dansby Swanson led the inning off with a double, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Then, Philadelphia’s defense showed why it was a known question mark going into the season.
Ronald Acuña Jr. tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Only, Philadelphia experienced none of the benefits of the sacrifice fly. Centerfielder Roman Quinn misplayed the ball. Swanson scored and Acuña ended up on second base with nobody out.
https://twitter.com/BrodesMedia/status/1529300730988871680
Atlanta took full advantage of that gift.
William Contreras delivered a line drive to center field, which landed in front of Quinn. Acuña sprinted home from second as the winning run.
Perhaps none of the many famed expressions uttered by the late, great Yogi Berra resonates more than, “it ain’t over till it’s over.” Those words have never had more truth than in Tuesday’s game.
Another famous phrase in sports came to us from Jim McKay, who spoke of, “The Thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” during Wide World of Sports.
The reactions following that wild ninth inning summed that phrase up perfectly.
I love these boys. https://t.co/yrY9EORHG8
— Tiger Hollywood (@Tiger_Hollywood) May 25, 2022
The Phillies have been down this road before this year. They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, blowing a six-run ninth-inning lead. Philadelphia has also snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with another team’s defensive gaffe.
Tuesday’s loss moved the Phillies to 20-23, so we can’t say they’re a good team. We can say that they’re not boring.
About Michael Dixon
About Michael:
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