Five-run fifth inning lifts Padres over Phillies in Game 2, NLCS knotted up 1-1

After suffering a shutout loss to the Phillies in Game 1, the Padres avoided some early trouble in Game 2 before their bats came alive to help them knot up the NLCS at one game apiece. 

The Phillies jumped ahead early, 4-0, and it looked like the Padres would be headed to Philadelphia down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. However, the Padres' offense would finally catch fire. 

Trailing by four in the second inning, the Padres immediately responded with back-to-back solo-home runs from Brandon Drury and Josh Bell, cutting the Phillies' lead to 4-2, but perhaps more importantly, swinging the momentum back San Deigo's way. 

After two scoreless innings, the Padres took charge in the fifth, exploding for five runs in the inning, stunning the visiting Phillies. 

Ha-Seong Kim led off the inning with a single before being driven home a batter later by catcher Austin Nola, who got the better of brother and Phillies starter Aaron Nola by smacking a long RBI single to right field. 

Next, a Jurickson Profar single put runners at first and third, setting the stage for Juan Soto, who doubled to right field, tying the game 4-4. 

After a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with two outs, Brandon Drury singled, driving in two more runs to give San Deigo its first lead of the series at 6-4. 

Bell capped off the Padres' huge inning by singling up the middle to score Drury, giving San Diego a 7-4 advantage. 

Manny Machado and Rhys Hoskins would trade home runs in the seventh and eighth innings, but Padres' closer Josh Hader entered in the ninth to shut the door.  

Hader was dominant, striking out the side to preserve the Padres' victory and earn the save. 

After two games in San Diego, the NLCS now shifts to Philadelphia for games 3, 4, and 5. The Phillies will host the Padres for Game 3 on Friday at 7:37 p.m.