Phillies examine off yet another field that may matter in season-ending win initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Philadelphia
WASHINGTON — The form of second Rob Thomson and each Phillies fan wished to keep away from almost occurred within the second inning of Sunday’s regular-season finale towards the Nationals when Aaron Nola was struck on the best facet by a 99 mph line drive.
The batted ball from Drew Millas ricocheted off Nola’s proper indirect/hip and went for an infield single to place runners on the corners. Thomson and Phillies assistant athletic coach Joe Rauch instantly got here out to examine on him and Nola remained within the sport. With a caught stealing and a strikeout, he was out of the inning a couple of pitches later.
“We got here out of it wholesome,” Thomson mentioned. “Nola took the road drive nevertheless it didn’t catch any bone or something. It acquired some pores and skin, he’ll have a bruise however he’s advantageous. Tried to get him by means of 5 2/3 (to achieve 200 innings) however I instructed him we weren’t going over 100 pitches.”
The Phillies have been locked into the 2-seed within the Nationwide League playoffs since Friday night time, however this remaining win did examine off yet another field that may matter, clinching them home-field benefit over the Yankees within the World Sequence if each groups make it.
There are various steps to take, although, earlier than that may turn out to be a actuality and Thomson did not handle Sunday as if it was an important sport. Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto had the ultimate time without work. Nick Castellanos began for the 162nd time however exited within the second inning. Trea Turner departed within the seventh.
“It’s fairly cool to say out loud,” Castellanos mentioned of the feat.
The Phillies received, 6-3, to complete 95-67. It is their sixth-highest win complete in franchise historical past. The sport ended with Kody Clemens making a game-saving, leaping catch into the left subject wall with the bases loaded.
The Phils have a bye in the course of the wild-card spherical and will not play once more till Saturday. The Phillies will take Monday off, maintain a compulsory staff exercise Tuesday at Residents Financial institution Park, play an intrasquad sport Wednesday, have a voluntary exercise Thursday and one other necessary one Friday similtaneously Saturday’s sport.
“Don’t be so happy-go-lucky and consider these 5 days as a trip fairly than simply some down time,” Castellanos mentioned. “Nonetheless stay targeted and focus on no matter we have now scheduled that day.
“I feel we simply understand how essential day-after-day is. Win at this time and tomorrow will care for itself. We’ve acquired a bunch of men who purchase into that philosophy.”
The Phils’ NLDS opponent shall be both the Brewers, Mets, Braves or Diamondbacks. The Mets and Braves will meet Monday in Atlanta for a doubleheader to resolve the ultimate two playoff spots.
Nola allowed a homer Sunday to the primary batter he confronted, Luis Garcia Jr., however made it by means of 5 innings for his 14th win. He completed at 199⅓ innings for the season, two outs shy of 200. Thomson tried to let Nola attain the milestone like Zack Wheeler did Saturday however Nola labored by means of the fifth inning and was eliminated after a leadoff triple within the sixth.
Quiet offensively within the first two video games of the sequence, the Phillies loaded the bases with no outs within the first inning Sunday, pushed throughout two runs, then scored 4 extra within the fifth. Kyle Schwarber drove in two to match a career-high from final season with 104 RBI.
The Phillies went 33-33 after the All-Star break and misplaced seven of their remaining 11 video games however these details alone do not portend doom. The Diamondbacks scored three runs complete in shedding 4 in a row to finish final season, then went to the World Sequence. The 2022 Phillies have been outscored 13-2 to finish the common season towards an Astros staff with nothing to play for, then steamrolled by means of the playoffs, successful 10 of 12.
Now come the true stakes. These guys have been ready for October because the remaining pitch of the 2023 NLCS and it is lastly arrived.
“The playoffs, I’ve discovered, is sort of like an animal of its personal,” Castellanos mentioned. “It’s a clear slate for everyone.”
