Snell Dominates As Dodgers Escape Thriller To Seize Commanding NLDS Lead Over Phillies

Six shutout innings of one-hit baseball by Blake Snell, two rallies stalled by iconic defensive plays, and now the Dodgers take a commanding 2-0 series lead to Los Angeles, narrowly escaping a furious ninth-inning rally to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 on Monday night at a stunned Citizens Bank Park. 

The game remained a tense, 0-0  affair for six innings, a classic pitcher’s duel that had fans on the edge of their seats. The Dodgers finally broke through in the top of the seventh, erupting for four runs that seemed to put the game out of reach. However, the Phillies, known for their resilience, scored one run in the eighth inning and then mounted a dramatic comeback in the ninth, scoring two runs before the Dodgers finally slammed the door shut via a heart-stopping miraculous defensive play from first baseman Freddie Freeman.

“He’s been incredible since he’s come off his injury,” teammate Freeman said of Snell. “Everything we could have asked for. Six strong innings tonight. He had everything working. Our starting pitching has been incredible for about a month now. I’m glad everyone gets to see it on a national stage.”

Key Moments that led to the Dodgers’ Victory

The emotional core of the game was Snell’s performance. Coming off an injury-plagued season, his dominance was a sight to behold. He worked out of his only real jam in the sixth inning after walking two batters. With the crowd finally roaring to life, Snell faced the formidable Bryce Harper and struck him out, a pivotal moment that seemed to drain the energy from the stadium. His command was a testament to his resilience and talent, providing the Dodgers exactly what they needed on the road. 

After the strikeout, the first of two iconic defensive plays happened when third baseman Miguel Rojas took a grounder and dove to get the force out. Miss the play and it is bases loaded. Make the extension, get the out, and Snell and the Dodgers keep the score at 0-0. Rojas made the play to keep the game scoreless. 

• The Dodgers’ offense, quiet for most of the game against Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo, came alive in the seventh. After Luzardo retired 17 straight batters, Teoscar Hernández sparked the rally with a leadoff single. This inning showcased the depth of the Dodgers’ lineup, as key hits from Kiké Hernández, Will Smith, and Shohei Ohtani turned a scoreless tie into a comfortable 4-0 lead. Ohtani’s RBI single was particularly significant, marking his first hit of the series after a tough Game 1.
• The Phillies’ ninth-inning rally was a stark reminder of their potent offense. Nick Castellanos ignited the crowd with a two-run double that made it a one-run game. The pressure mounted with every pitch, transforming a seemingly decided game into a nail-biter. The rally fell just short, but it sent a clear message that no lead is safe against this Philadelphia team.
• Freeman’s game-saving scoop at first base was the second great LA defensive play of the night. On the final out, second baseman Tommy Edman’s throw was in the dirt, a difficult “in-between” hop that could have easily allowed the tying and winning runs to score. Freeman stretched, went to his knees, and secured the ball, a moment of athletic brilliance that preserved the victory. “I was really trying to do anything I could to catch it,” Freeman said. “Thankfully, it stayed in my glove.”
• History now heavily favors the Dodgers. Teams that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five postseason series have gone on to win the series 80 out of 90 times. More specifically, in the current Division Series format, teams winning the first two games on the road have advanced 16 out of 18 times, showcasing the enormous statistical advantage the Dodgers now hold.
• Snell’s outing was historically significant. It was only the second time in Dodgers’ franchise postseason history that a pitcher recorded a scoreless start of at least six innings while allowing one or fewer hits. This performance also marked Snell’s fourth career postseason game with nine or more strikeouts and two or fewer hits, the most by any pitcher in MLB history.