Phillies’ Castellanos Seals the Deal in Game 2 of the NL Division Series

In a thrilling showdown, Nick Castellanos demonstrated his uncanny instinct for game-winning plays, delivering a ninth-inning victory for the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the National League Division Series (NLDS). The game was tied with two runners on base, and Castellanos stepped up to the plate against New York Mets’ reliever Tylor Megill.

Castellanos’ Clutch Hit Sparks Phillies’ Triumph

“I liked the look of that pitch when I saw it,” Castellanos shared. And it was clear the Phillies fans agreed as they erupted in cheers that reverberated around Citizens Bank Park. He then drove a winning single that brought Trea Turner home, handing the Phillies a nail-biting 7-6 victory over the Mets on Sunday and leveling the NLDS at one game each.

Bryce Harper, the Phillies postseason star, quipped, “Rocky would be proud. We never gave up. It was an amazing game.”

Castellanos’ Impact Beyond the Game

The win signified more than just a tally in the win column. Castellanos, who led the MLB this season with four walk-off hits, celebrated with his teammates on the field, then shared an exhilarating moment with his son, Liam. “When I’m old and my days as a baseball player are long past, we’ll be able to look back on moments like this,” Castellanos reflected.

The fourth inning saw Castellanos deliver two significant swings but fell short with an 0-2 count. Yet, he fought back, tying the game with a home run in the sixth and later scoring the go-ahead run on Bryson Stott’s two-run triple in the eighth.

Megill, despite retiring two initial batters of the ninth, walked Turner and Harper, setting the stage for Castellanos to complete the Phillies’ fifth historical postseason walk-off hit.

The Road to Victory

The game took an electrifying turn when Castellanos drove a hanging slider into left field, sending the crowd into a frenzy. “It was surreal. But now the series is tied, and we have a lot more baseball to play in New York,” Castellanos said.

The next game is set for Tuesday in New York, which will be the Mets’ first home game since Sept. 22. “We’ve had a tough road, but we’re ready to get back to Citi Field,” stated Mets manager Carlos Mendoza.

Mark Vientos, Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo of the Mets demonstrated their power with home runs. But it was Harper’s two-run homer and Castellanos’ solo drive that sparked the Phillies’ comeback from a 3-0, sixth-inning deficit.

What’s Next?

The Phillies are now heading to New York for the third game of the NLDS. “It’s been a punch-for-punch contest with both teams,” Harper said. The Phillies’ Aaron Nola and the Mets’ Sean Manaea are slated to start in Game 3.