Alec Bohm’s Extra-Inning Home Run Forces Winner-Take-All Game 3 for Phillies and Braves
Alec Bohm delivered a dramatic extra-inning home run Wednesday afternoon, lifting the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves and keeping their postseason alive.
Bohm’s opposite-field blast in the top of the 10th inning gave Philadelphia the lead in a game that had swung dramatically in Atlanta’s favor late. The Phillies held on to complete the comeback and force a winner-take-all Game 3 in the National League Wild Card Series.
The victory came after Philadelphia had trailed 3-1 entering the eighth inning. Back-to-back home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper tied the game before Bohm provided the decisive blow two innings later.
Alec Bohm Delivers in the 10th Inning
With two outs in the top of the 10th, Bohm stepped into the batter’s box against Atlanta reliever Didier Fuentes.
He lifted a 1-1 fastball toward right field, sending the ball just over the right-field wall for a solo home run.
The opposite-field homer traveled approximately 357 feet and marked Bohm’s third career postseason home run. It was also his first postseason homer since 2023.
Bohm’s blast gave Philadelphia a 4-3 lead and immediately put the Braves in a position where they had to answer in the bottom half of the inning.
They couldn’t.
Phillies Rally From 3-1 Down
For much of the game, Atlanta appeared to be in control.
Braves starter Tyler Mahle turned in an excellent postseason debut, pitching seven innings while allowing one run on six hits. He also struck out six and kept Philadelphia’s lineup from producing much early damage.
The Braves then took control in the seventh inning.
Philadelphia starter Cristopher Sánchez had worked through six innings before Atlanta scored twice in the seventh, turning a 1-1 game into a 3-1 Braves advantage.
The Phillies suddenly found themselves only six outs away from elimination.
Then their biggest hitters responded.
Schwarber and Harper Tie the Game
Philadelphia’s comeback began with Kyle Schwarber leading off the eighth inning against Braves reliever Dylan Lee.
Schwarber crushed a slider and sent it an estimated 447 feet into the stands, cutting Atlanta’s lead to 3-2.
Bryce Harper followed.
On the very next at-bat, Harper launched another home run to right field, tying the game at 3-3.
The back-to-back homers completely changed the momentum at Truist Park.
They were particularly significant for Harper, who had committed a costly defensive misplay in the seventh inning that helped Atlanta take the lead.
Instead of allowing the mistake to define his night, Harper responded with the game-tying homer.
Andrew Painter Shuts Down the Braves
After Philadelphia tied the game, rookie pitcher Andrew Painter became an important part of the comeback.
Painter entered in the eighth inning and delivered three scoreless innings in his postseason debut.
He allowed three hits and one walk while striking out three, giving the Phillies the opportunity to eventually take the lead in the 10th.
Painter then had to navigate trouble in the bottom of the 10th.
After Atlanta put two runners on base, the rookie managed to escape the threat and preserve Philadelphia’s one-run advantage.
The final out came in dramatic fashion.
Historic Ending With an ABS Challenge
Painter struck out pinch-hitter Dominic Smith to end the game, but the called strike initially registered as a ball.
Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto challenged the call through MLB’s automated ball-strike system.
The challenge overturned the original call and confirmed the strikeout, ending the game.
It marked the first postseason game in MLB history to end on an ABS challenge.
The unusual ending added another layer to an already dramatic game.
Phillies Overcome Harper’s Defensive Mistake
Harper’s seventh-inning defensive error appeared to put Philadelphia in serious trouble.
With runners on base, Harper misjudged a fly ball from Drake Baldwin, allowing the ball to get past him and bringing a run home. Atlanta subsequently added another run to take a 3-1 lead.
But Harper quickly responded.
His eighth-inning home run erased the deficit and demonstrated how quickly the momentum can shift during postseason baseball.
The Phillies ultimately won despite falling behind late, with Harper’s homer and Bohm’s extra-inning shot providing two of the biggest moments of the comeback.
Tyler Mahle Gives Braves a Strong Start
The Braves had plenty of reasons to feel confident during the middle portion of the game.
Mahle kept Philadelphia’s offense under control for seven innings, allowing just one run and striking out six.
He was particularly effective against the Phillies’ middle of the order and handed the Braves a 3-1 advantage when he left the game.
Atlanta’s bullpen, however, could not protect the lead.
Dylan Lee surrendered the back-to-back homers to Schwarber and Harper in the eighth, while Fuentes gave up Bohm’s decisive homer in the 10th.
Braves Leave Opportunities on the Table
Atlanta had several opportunities to create more separation during the game.
The Braves left 11 runners on base, including a bases-loaded opportunity in the sixth inning that ended without a run.
Michael Harris II also grounded into two double plays, ending potentially productive innings for Atlanta.
Those missed opportunities became increasingly important as Philadelphia’s offense eventually found its power stroke.
By the end of the game, the Braves had gone from being six outs away from advancing to needing to win a decisive Game 3 to continue their postseason.
Game 3 Will Decide the Series
The Phillies and Braves are now tied at 1-1, making Thursday’s Game 3 an elimination game for both teams.
The winner will advance to the National League Division Series and face the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Philadelphia will turn to Zack Wheeler in the decisive matchup, while Atlanta is expected to counter with Grant Holmes.
That gives the series one final chapter after two games that have both featured dramatic late-inning moments.
The Phillies will enter Game 3 having survived a major comeback situation, while Atlanta will look to recover after surrendering a two-run lead in the final three innings.
Bohm’s Home Run Keeps Philadelphia Alive
The Alec Bohm home run will ultimately be remembered as the swing that kept Philadelphia’s season alive.
But the Phillies’ 4-3 victory was built through several critical moments.
Painter delivered three scoreless innings. Schwarber and Harper erased Atlanta’s two-run lead with consecutive home runs. Bohm then provided the go-ahead homer in the 10th.
The Phillies still have another game to win before they can move on.
But after appearing close to elimination, Philadelphia has earned one more opportunity.
And everything now comes down to Game 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happened in the Phillies-Braves Game 2?
The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves 4-3 in 10 innings, tying the NL Wild Card Series at 1-1 and forcing a decisive Game 3.
2. What did Alec Bohm do?
Alec Bohm hit a go-ahead solo home run in the 10th inning, giving Philadelphia a 4-3 lead.
3. Was Alec Bohm’s home run an opposite-field homer?
Yes. Bohm drove the ball over the right-field wall, marking his first opposite-field home run since Opening Day.
4. How did the Phillies tie the game?
Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper hit back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning, erasing Atlanta’s 3-1 lead and tying the game at 3-3.
5. How did Andrew Painter perform?
Andrew Painter pitched the final three innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out three and earning the postseason victory.
6. What happened on the final play?
Painter struck out Dominic Smith, and the Phillies successfully challenged the original ball call through the automated ball-strike system. The overturned call ended the game.
7. Is the Phillies-Braves series going to Game 3?
Yes. Philadelphia’s 4-3 victory tied the best-of-three series at 1-1, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3.
8. Who will the winner face in the NLDS?
The winner of the Phillies-Braves series will advance to the NLDS to face the Los Angeles Dodgers.
9. How did Tyler Mahle perform for Atlanta?
Tyler Mahle pitched seven innings and allowed one run on six hits while striking out six in his postseason debut.
10. How many home runs did Philadelphia hit in Game 2?
The Phillies hit four home runs: one by Kyle Schwarber, one by Bryce Harper and two solo homers by Alec Bohm during the game, including his decisive extra-inning blast.
