Bohm's 10th-inning homer gives Phillies 4-3 win, forces Game 3 with Braves

The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 in 10 innings Wednesday, September 30, to level their National League Wild Card Series at one game apiece. Alec Bohm's solo home run in the 10th supplied the winning run and ensured the best-of-three matchup will be decided Thursday.

Philadelphia led early after a Bryce Harper RBI single in the first. Matt Olson's run-scoring single answered for Atlanta in the bottom half. The game stayed close until the Braves scored twice in the seventh, on Drake Baldwin's RBI double and Olson's sacrifice fly, to move ahead 3-1.

That seventh inning put the Phillies six outs from elimination. Kyle Schwarber homered in the eighth, and Harper followed with a home run of his own to tie the score. The two solo shots did not win the game, but they erased Atlanta's lead before its bullpen could close out the series.

Three swings changed the series

Bohm then broke the tie with a two-out solo homer in the top of the 10th. It was Philadelphia's third home run in its final three offensive innings, each one changing the pressure on the Braves. The Phillies had not led since the first inning.

The comeback should not obscure Atlanta's work in the middle innings. Its pitchers held Philadelphia to one run through seven, and its seventh-inning rally appeared to have created a manageable route to the series win. In a short series, though, a two-run cushion can disappear on two swings.

Andrew Painter covered the final three innings for Philadelphia without allowing a run and was credited with the win. Cristopher Sánchez started and worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs. The late offense mattered because Philadelphia's pitchers kept the game within reach and then held the tie long enough for Bohm's chance.

Painter protected the comeback

Atlanta won Tuesday's opener 5-3, so neither team has advanced. Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday, October 1. Philadelphia has recovered its season for one more game; Atlanta still has the same opportunity to take the series at home.