Citizens Bank Park crackled with the kind of tension only late-season baseball in South Philadelphia can produce. The deadlock held until the 11th, when Nick Castellanos delivered the final blow—a sharp single up the middle off Atlanta reliever Grant Holmes that scored Kody Clemens and secured the Phillies a crucial victory.
The win extended their lead in the NL East back to seven games, giving them some needed separation from the Braves.
"It definitely feels like October is around the corner, that's for sure," Castellanos said.
"We're just two really good baseball teams."
It was Castellanos' fourth walk-off hit of the season, and both of his hits on the night came after falling behind 0-2 in the count.
“It makes me want to take (pitches) so I have two strikes more often,” Castellanos said.
“I think the thing that has gotten me the most comfortable in those spots is all the work I do on the field early. I don’t feel like I’m searching for a swing. I think that since we started doing that in May, it’s just built success slowly.”
For five innings, the Phillies had no answer for Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach. But in the sixth, Trea Turner broke through with a single, and Bryce Harper followed by slicing a double down the left-field line. Castellanos continued his clutch performance, roping a double to drive in both runners and tie the game at 2-2.
The Braves struck first, with Michael Harris II launching a solo shot in the third inning. Former Phillie Whit Merrifield added to the lead in the fourth, driving in a run on a fielder’s choice.
Aaron Nola was solid, throwing 100 pitches over six innings. He allowed two runs on four hits, walked three, and struck out nine, keeping the Phillies within striking distance. It was his 18th quality start this season, second-most in the majors behind teammate Zack Wheeler.
“His velocity has gone up a little bit, and he held his velocity tonight,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “Consequently, the breaking ball is better because of the velocity. He was commanding all of his pitches. ... He was fantastic.”
Carlos Estévez (3-4) pitched the 10th and 11th, retiring all six batters he faced and stranding the automatic runner for the Braves in both innings.
“It’s really cool, man,” said Estévez, who has only faced two batters in the postseason during his nine-year career, which included stints with Colorado and the Los Angeles Angels. “It’s one thing when you see (the Philadelphia crowd) from the other side, but when you live it here, it’s really amazing.”
With an off day on Monday, the Phillies will head north to Toronto for a two-game series against the Blue Jays, looking to build on the momentum from Sunday’s dramatic win.
