The Philadelphia Phillies had 11 hits, and the Atlanta Braves had 10. The number of hits was similar, but in the end, ‘one big hit’ decided the outcome of the game.
Philadelphia won 10-2 against Atlanta in Game 4 of the 2023 Major League National League Division Series (NLDS) held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA on the 12th (Korean time), taking the lead in the series with 2 wins and 1 loss. I guessed it.
Philadelphia and Atlanta were in a tight battle, sharing one win each before today’s game. In the first game on the 8th, Philadelphia won 3-0 thanks to Bryce Harper’s performance, and in the second game on the 10th, Atlanta scored two two-run shots in the last minute of the game to tie the series.메이저사이트
In this game, both teams recorded a total of 21 hits. Of those, 11 were created by Philadelphia and 10 by Atlanta. The game, which seemed like it would be a close contest, ended on a cold note, with Philadelphia surprisingly scoring a large number of runs in the bottom of the third inning.
It’s not that Atlanta failed to take advantage of scoring chances. Atlanta scored twice out of a total of four chances on the day. Rather, Philadelphia only scored twice out of five chances to score. However, there was a big difference in long shots.
Although Atlanta had no home runs and only one double, Philadelphia hit eight extra-base hits, including six home runs. The joys and sorrows of both teams were mixed in the third inning. In the top of the third inning, with one out, Ronald Acuña Jr.’s double to right field quickly put a runner in scoring position. Follow-up hitter Aji Albis hit Aaron Nola’s low knuckle curve on the first pitch and scored a timely hit with 1 RBI.
However, the joy of scoring first did not last long. In the bottom of the third inning, Philadelphia leadoff hitter Nick Castellanos pulled Atlanta starter Bryce Alder’s second pitch sinker. The batted ball flew at a speed of 96.8 miles per hour (approximately 155.8 km) and flew over the left wall. Atlanta scored with two hits, but Philadelphia easily tied the game with a home run.
Philadelphia, which balanced the game, even succeeded in turning the game around. In the bottom of the third inning, with two outs and runners on first and third base, Bryce Harper came to the plate. Harper swung the bat vigorously when Elder’s fourth pitch slider fell flat in the middle of the pitch. The batted ball, which hit the sweet spot exactly, landed at the top of the right wall at a bullet-like speed of 109.5 miles per hour (about 176.2 km). Philadelphia expanded the lead to 4-1 with Harper’s three-run shot. With a hit and a walk, 2 outs, runners on 1st and 2nd base, JT Realmuto’s 2-RBI double to left-center field sealed the win.
Philadelphia scored 6 runs with 3 extra-base hits in the 3rd inning alone, and Harper, who was the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the 5th inning, hit a solo home run in the middle of the month against Atlanta’s third pitcher, Brad Hand, completing consecutive home runs. When Atlanta chased down Orlando Arcia’s timely hit in the top of the 6th inning, Philadelphia responded with Trey Turner’s solo shot in the bottom of the 6th. Philadelphia won 10-2 with two solo home runs by Castellanos and Brandon Marsh in the bottom of the eighth inning.
One home run that came out at every important moment completely broke Atlanta’s will to chase. Efficiency is also high. While Atlanta scored only 2 points with 10 hits and 3 walks, Philadelphia showed its potential by scoring 10 points with 11 hits and 5 walks. It is also surprising that 8 out of 10 runs were home runs.
The silence of Atlanta’s central batting lineup is painful. He led all major leagues in home runs with 307 in the regular season, but only two in the postseason. Acuña Jr., who joined the ’40-70 Club’ (40 home runs, 70 stolen bases) for the first time in major league history, and Matt Olson (54 home runs), who ranks first in all home runs in the major leagues, failed to hit a single home run.
In this Major League Division Series, home runs determine victory and defeat. The Arizona Diamondbacks advanced to the National League Championship Series (NLCS) by hitting a total of 9 home runs in games 1 to 3, beating the LA Dodgers (1 home run). The Houston Astros (10 home runs) and Texas Rangers (5 home runs) also advanced to the American League Championship Series (ALCS) with a ‘big shot’ at the Minnesota Twins (5 home runs) and Baltimore Orioles (3 home runs), respectively. It is probably no coincidence that Philadelphia recorded 8 home runs until Game 3 and took the series lead over Atlanta (2 home runs).
Atlanta is now on the edge. If they lose in the upcoming 4th game, they will hand over their ticket to the ALCS to Philadelphia for two consecutive seasons following the 2022 season. To turn the series around, Atlanta needs a shot.