The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves 3-1 to punch their ticket to a second consecutive National League Championship Series on Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park.
Nick Castellanos became the first player in MLB history to homer twice in back-to-back games in the postseason. Trea Turner also became the first Phillie ever to record four hits in a single postseason game.
But the biggest moment of the night came in the seventh inning. The bases were loaded with two outs for superstar slugger Ronald Acuña Jr. against Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel threw a fastball inside that Acuña drilled to left center. The ball stayed in the air for an eternity, but the the Phillies’ wunderkind center fielder Johan Rojas made a leaping grab just short of the wall to deliver the dagger for the Braves.
As the Phillies popped champagne for the third time this season in the home clubhouse, Acuña was already on the bus.
It’s a satisfactory ending to one of the greatest postseason series we’ll ever see.
While the last two postgame celebrations were relatively tame, the Phillies went all out to celebrate their upset over the division rival Braves.
Here are the best moments from the Phillies clubhouse and beyond following the Game 4 clincher:
8 More, Thomper
“By the way, you’re all studs.”
Castellanos takes in the moment
As we’ve learned, Castellanos likes to take in his surroundings and feel the moment. As his Phillies teammates danced to “Dancing On My Own,” Castellanos watched from behind. Paco Figueroa snuck up and poured one out.
Stubbs being Stubbs
How many bottles of Budweiser can one overall handle?
Castellanos *loves* Philly
Castellanos doesn’t care one bit that he is live on “the Network.”
Nice words for Trea Turner
Sometime this summer, the Phillies randomly began chanting “F*** you, Trea” when Turner returned to the dugout following a home run.
Here’s Turner’s viewpoint as teammates kill him with kindness.
Singing in the rain
The clubhouse floor was practically a puddle, but that didn’t stop Ranger Suárez from having a good time.
“You’re so sexy”
There’s a lot going on here.
“Rob, welcome to Xfinity Live”
The Phillies brought the skipper to the party across the street. Philly Rob was in his element.
“Atta Boy, Harper”
The best outfit of the night goes to Phillies rookie reliever Orion Kerkering for this masterpiece.