Phillies mash their way to a historic win over Marlins

Edmundo Sosa steals the show in return from IL

Sosa, however, stole the show with his three home runs (8, 9, 10) to become the first shortstop in Phillies franchise history, according to manager Rob Thomson, to hit three home runs in a game. When asked postgame if he had a three-home run game before, Sosa replied, "Never."

"Never. Never had a three-homer game before, not in little league, not in the minors," Sosa said. "Some two-home run games. It’s an amazing feeling, an incredible feeling.

"I was just happy that I hit a double at the moment," he added. "I was waiting for the umpires to make their decision. The guys in the dugout kept telling me to keep going but at that point I was just waiting for the final decision to come. When they called it, I got even happier, more excited. I thought it was a little low spin so I didn’t think it was going out. I didn’t think it had that much on it."

An underrated Phillies player and one of the more underrated utility players in the game, Sosa appears not to have missed a beat in the roughly two weeks he was on the injured list. That is a good sign for him and the Phillies when the playoffs start in October. 

The Philadelphia Phillies' success in October could hinge on the long ball 

For at least three seasons, the Phillies have relied heavily on the long ball to win games in the regular season and postseason, with them sometimes coming up short. However, this season is a little different, with their home runs coming in bunches. It seems more sustainable with multiple players contributing. 

The Phillies should have their full lineup when the postseason starts, with J.T. Realmuto (right finger contusion), Bryce Harper (illness) and Trea Turner (hamstring) all returning soon. With a strong starting three in their rotation and the lineup seemingly firing on all cylinders, the Phillies seem like the team most prepared to make a deep postseason run.