The Philadelphia Phillies are World Series bound, completing a miracle run through the National League Playoffs with a 4-3 home win over the San Diego Padres on Sunday afternoon.
Philadelphia found itself up 3-1 in the series heading in. However, the team was down 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning when star outfielder Bryce Harper took to the plate against Padres reliever Robert Suarez. With San Diego six outs from forcing a Game 6, Harper had other ideas.
The former NL MVP blasted a two-run shot off his counterpart to give the Phillies a 4-3 lead. Within the matter of minutes, Ranger Suárez closed this one out for Philadelphia to send them to their first World Series since all the way back in 2009.
Things started out great for the Phillies as they took a 2-0 lead in the third inning on a Rhys Hoskins homer. San Diego got on the board when Juan Soto blasted a solo shot in the fourth inning. Then in the seventh, Jake Cronenworth scored on a Josh Bell double before José Azócar was plated due to a wild pitch from Philadelphia Phillies releiver Seranthony Domínguez to give the Friars a 3-2 lead.
This all set the stage for Harper to do his thing in October once again. With fans inside Citizens Bank Park on their feet, the future Hall of Famer delivered in his biggest at-bat as a member of the Phillies.
After posting an 87-75 record and finishing third in the NL East during the regular season, Philadelphia took out the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Wild Card before disposing of the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves in the NLDS. They are now headed to the October Classic.
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