Phillies of Philadelphia continue their series against Dodgers
After folding the title file of the Eastern Division of the National League, the Phillies of Philadelphia They did not lift their feet. Los Angeles direction, for a three-game series against the Dodgers, to test their breath and mind before the sprint of October. And if the first round looked like an acid poker game, it's good because the two teams played cards on the table, until the end of California night.
A marathon of 23 sleeves
Final score: 25-270. Yes, you read well. A score that looks more like a basketball stat sheet than a baseball game. 23 swallowed sleeves, rinsed arms, tensioned spirits and a public shared between ecstasy and exhaustion.
Kyle Schwarber made the powder talk again with his 22nd homer of the season, the undisputed leader of the league in the exercise. Bryce Harper waited for the eighth to add his, as if to remind him that he is still Philly's beating heart. J.T. Realmuto chose the 23rd round to slam a sacrificial flight that weighed heavy in the balance.
And then there's Weston Wilson. Not the star, not the face on the posters. But his two-point homer in seventh put everyone up, offering a 4-3 advantage that almost tipped the story. A spark in this fire of beatings and emotional rebounds.
« It was like a heavyweight fight, man. », dropped Harper after the blow. « They hit, we hit. They hit, we hit. We just kept answering. »
Philadelphia, October's momentum
With this dantesque victory, the Phillies extended their state of grace: 14 victories over their last 18 games. A champion's pace, reinforced by a second consecutive division title won on Monday. And beyond pride, there is above all this small strategic bonus: getting closer to one of the two best results of the National League, synonymous with a direct ticket for the second round of playoffs.
Rob Thomson, the manager, did not fail to salute the resilience of his group. « They never stopped fighting. This is what you have to do, especially after losing Zack Wheeler for the season. » A huge loss, Wheeler being in rotation, operated last month for a blood clot.
But this team refuses to lower their heads. Cristopher Sanchez is the symbol: the left-hander takes the mound on Tuesday, with a series where he conceded only one point in three exits. A warm arm, an icy mind, and the opportunity to keep the victory train on its tracks.
The tone is set
Philly advances with the energy of a team that knows it's expected. A team that hits hard, cashes out, but goes back to more beautiful. The Dodgers learned last night that it was not enough to stifle this red and white momentum.
The rest of the series promises more sparks. Because if this 23-sleeves marathon was « Just » the first act, we hardly imagine the continuation. One thing is certain: these Phillies don't just play baseball, they turn it into a total show.
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