(Philadelphia) Nick Castellanos became the first player to hit more than one home run in two consecutive playoff games, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-1 victory that allowed them to eliminate the Atlanta Braves for the second year in a row, Thursday .
Matt Strahm struck out pinch hitter Vaughn Grissom with runners on first and third base in the top of the ninth to help the Phillies win this second-round series in four games.
Fireworks lit up the sky above a frenzied Citizens Bank Park, the Liberty Bell rang and the defending National League champions served champagne again.
Bryce Harper gave the Phillies a scare when he grabbed his right elbow, which underwent surgery, following a collision in the eighth. Matt Olson’s left knee struck Harper’s elbow on a first base play that ended the inning.
Harper, twice named the National League’s Most Valuable Player, flexed his elbow after a quick examination by medical staff. He remained in the game in the ninth.
Trea Turner had two singles, a double and a solo home run in the fifth to give the Phillies a 2-1 lead. They are trying to win the World Series for the first time since 2008.
They will now face the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National Championship Series, starting Monday in Philadelphia.
The Phillies weathered a few scares before once again eliminating the NL East champions, who finished with the best record in baseball this season at 104-58.
Before the collision involving Harper, rookie Johan Rojas made an important defensive play in the seventh with the bases loaded to end the seventh. He caught a shot from Ronald Acuna Jr. on the run, depriving him of a hit that could have given the Braves the lead.
Wearing light blue uniforms with brown caps, as they do every Thursday at home, the Phillies followed the same path as last year to advance to the championship.
They won the first round series for the first time. Then, in the second round, they won the first game in Atlanta before losing the second. Like last year, they returned to Philadelphia and scored six runs in the third inning en route to victory in game three.
A home run flurry allowed them to eliminate the Braves, who were eliminated by the Phillies for the second year in a row after winning at least 101 regular season games each time.
