What a tremendous game it was last night in Atlanta as the Braves managed to pull off a dramatic come-from-behind victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
The euphoric 5-4 win not only knotted the series up 1-1, but it may have very well have saved the Braves season as a whole.
The game, by any measure, achieved “instant classic” status, featuring a dramatic ending sequence that will be remembered for years to come (unless Atlanta loses the next two games!)
With the Braves clinging to a one-run lead in the ninth inning and Bryce Harper standing on first base as the potential tying run, Philly’s Nick Castellanos stepped up to the plate.
Castellanos delivered a blistering smash, a 392-foot rocket that left his bat at a scorching 100.8 mph and headed towards the outfield wall.
Braves center fielder Michael Harris II soared through the air, making a sensational leaping catch in front of the wall … In one fluid motion, Harris caught the ball and fired it back towards the infield, where Atlanta managed to double-off Harper before he could make it back to first.
Michael Harris called game! 😤#AsOneATL pic.twitter.com/0nJitH7rmk
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 10, 2023
Had Harris not made that remarkable catch, the game would have been tied, and Castellanos would have been in scoring position.
Harper, known for his aggressive base-running, was already well past second base when Harris secured the ball, but he likely would have retreated to safety had it not been for the powerful and accurate arm of Braves third baseman Austin Riley.
Tracking Bryce Harper's baserunning on the Braves' game-ending double play
You can see where he is when Harris makes the catch pic.twitter.com/tohXeFCG72
— David Adler (@_dadler) October 10, 2023
After the ball got past second baseman Ozzie Albies, Riley alertly grabbed it and fired it to first base, nailing Harper just in the nick of time.
Harper acknowledged his calculated risk, saying: “He made a good play. You know, I probably shouldn’t have gone over second base. But I made a decision, and I’ll live with that … Just taking a chance. Michael made a great play and doubled me up. Tough way to end it.”
"Tough way to end it."
Bryce Harper on the final play of Game 2: pic.twitter.com/692ZQx38RT
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) October 10, 2023
Phillies manager Rob Thomson, when asked about Harper’s decision after the game, offered some diplomatic criticism, stating: “Usually you don’t pass the base. You stay in front of it, make sure it’s not caught. But he thought the ball was clearly over his head, didn’t think he was going to catch it. And Harris made an heck of a play. Unbelievable. He tried to get back, and he slipped, but usually you stay in front of the second base.”
Should Bryce Harper have stopped at second base and waited to see if Michael Harris caught the ball? I asked Rob Thomson that after the game. pic.twitter.com/wMPN6hqaUr
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) October 10, 2023
It was a hell of a game and a hell of a finish.
Now the series shifts to Philadelphia for game 3 … You know damn well Citizen’s Bank Park is going to be rocking.
Who do you think will end up winning the series???