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Rhys Hoskins spikes bat into ground after blasting three-run HR
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning in Game 3 of the NLDS. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Rhys Hoskins spikes his bat into ground after blasting three-run HR during blowout win over Braves

It would be putting it lightly to say Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins was struggling ahead of Game 3 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves. 

Hoskins came to the plate for his second at-bat on Friday sitting just 1-for-19 during the postseason, much to the chagrin of Phillies fans. 

But it took only one pitch for all to be forgiven. Moments after committing an error in the field, drawing boos from the crowd, Hoskins instantly became the hero of the day. 

Facing Atlanta's young flamethrower Spencer Strider, Hoskins jumped on the first pitch he saw, driving a three-run homer out of the park to give the Phillies an early commanding lead. 

Caught up in the moment, Hoskins aggressively spiked his bat into the ground immediately after making contact with the pitch. Maybe it was the excitement, or perhaps Hoskins was letting out all the aggression from his past failures at the dish. 

"Just trying to win a game here," Hoskins told Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal after smashing his three-run bomb. "Regardless of what I'm doing. The Phillies are winning games. That's why we're here. 

Following the Phillies' massive Game 3 victory, Hoskins told the media the bat spike just came in the moment. 

"I didn't know what I did until a couple innings later, really," Hoskins said of his titanic bat spike. "Just something that came out. Raw. God, it was fun." 

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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