We Just Witnessed The Most Incredible World Series Game Win in Phillies History

Just when you think the Phillies magical run to the World Series couldn’t get any more crazier (in a good way,) they topped that with the first game of the Fall Classic.

Down 5-0 in a game that felt lost after Kyle Tucker’s 2nd home run off of Aaron Nola, the Phils chipped away at the deficit in the 4th and 5th inning. In what could be the most consequential decision of the entire series, Houston let Justin Verlander remain on the mound throughout the 5th, allowing him to get the game tied 5-5. The probable Cy Young Award winner looked like he was exercising World Series demons in the first 3 innings, but in innings 4 and 5 he continued his reputation as one of the worst pitchers in World Series history.

From then on the scoring stopped and it became a battle of the bullpens. The Astros have the reputation of having the best bullpen in baseball, while the Phillies bullpen has been one of the worst in baseball over the past few years . . . until now. Everyone who was called up to keep the Astros from scoring did their job.  Jose Alvarado, Zach Eflin, Ranger Suarez, Seranthony Dominguez and even David Robertson, who gave me multiple heart attacks, in the bottom of the 10th.

Meanwhile everyone in the Astros bullpen did their part. Even former Phillie Hector Neris had his moment despite facing only one batter, but it was a huge moment as he struck out Nick Castellanos with the bases loaded in the 7th. Thankfully that moment did not go on to haunt the Phillies as it remained 5-5 going into the 9th.

With 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th, Astros leader Jose Altuve got a hit that landed perfectly in between the infielders and outfielders. Then he stole 2nd where he was nearly thrown out but was safe by centimeters. Jeremy Pena capitalized and hit a nice ball to right field but, in another heart attack moment, Nick Castellanos made an incredible sliding catch exactly like the one he made in Atlanta. It was another sign that the Phils may steal this game.

And that was exactly the case as J.T. Realmuto, who tied the game earlier with a huge double, hit a shot to right fielder that was just out of reach for a go-ahead home run. It was the first time a catcher homered in extra innings of a World Series game since Carlton Fisk in Game 6 of 1975, one of the most famous home runs in history.

In a perfect world this would have been at Citizens Bank Park and the J.T. home run would be a walk-off, but since it’s in Houston we had to watch them record three more outs and boy was it a doozy.

David Robertson was pretty shaky in the Bottom of the 9th in the last game against San Diego, but he started off the 10th solid by striking out the terrifying slugger Yordan Alvarez. But next up Alex Bregman hit a double off the left field wall that was a little too high for Kyle Schwarber to catch. The tying run was in scoring position with 1 out, Kyle Tucker was coming to the plate, and everyone’s hearts were in there throat. Thankfully Robertson got Tucker to strike out for out number 2. But after that he put Yuri Gurriel on base with an excruciating walk.

Then things got crazy with Aledmys Diaz at the plate. Robertson was becoming erratic as he threw a wild pitch that moved the runners. Now the winning run was in scoring position. We were all laying on the floor unable to move. Then Robertson made us scream by nearly hitting Diaz with a pitch. And then we screamed again on the next pitch when he actually hit him this time.

But wait! The home plate umpire James Hoye saw Diaz lean into the wild pitch and he was not allowed to take first base. A rule I honestly forgot existed in baseball but we’re glad it was enforced. Robertson finally threw a strike, and on the next pitch Diaz mercifully swung to hit a ground ball to 3rd baseman Edmundo Sosa. Sosa made a routine throw to 1st baseman Rhys Hoskins.

We made sure Hoskins caught the ball, had his foot on the bag before Diaz’s, and all of Philadelphia proceeded to celebrate like crazy, both in ecstasy and relief. While it’s still only Game 1 and there’s a lot of baseball left to play, the Phillies struck first against Houston and made a huge statement.

The Astros only have a day to get over this stunning loss before having to face Zach Wheeler for Game 2. Another wild fact: The Astros are now 3-10 all-time in World Series games in their own ballpark! 11 of those thirteen games come from this era of Astro greatness that kicked off in 2017. With all due respect to Houston, they clearly do not have the home field advantage that Philly has today.

Win or lose Game 2, the Phillies two-game trip to Houston has been a success already, just as it was in the NLDS in Atlanta and in the NLCS in San Diego. All four Game 1 wins for the Phillies in the playoffs have been insane nail biters, and we wouldn’t have it any other way (well in the moment maybe not, but it’s all worth it with victory.)

While it could be recency bias, I think it’s safe to say that Game 1 of the 2022 World Series was the most remarkable World Series game win in Phillies history. The most memorable World Series games for the Phillies are usually games they lost: The Joe Carter gane in 1993, the 15-14 game also in 1993, and Game 4 of the 2009 World Series where Pedro Feliz went from hero to scapegoat in record time.

The Phillies have won a few World Series games like Game 1 in 1980 where they overcame a 4-0 deficit to win 7-6, and Game 3 of 2008 which had a walk-off win. But I think we can all agree that Game 1 of 2022 blows them all away. Who knows how the rest of the World Series go, but Game 1 could be the defining game of this particular Fall Classic and we can’t wait for more. Though we would all prefer easy, comfortable wins, the Astros are not going to yield that easy. So if the Phils are going to have to win nail biters to win the World Series, so be it, and their track record of winning tight games in this postseason has been nearly spotless.

Onto Game 2 with Wheeler! And then we finally bring the World Series back to the Bank for more bedlam.