Phillies eliminate Padres, advance to first World Series since 2009
Posted October 23, 2022 6:45 pm.
Last Updated October 23, 2022 6:57 pm.
Bryce Harper hit a two-run homer that proved to be the difference as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Diego Padres 4-3 on Sunday, advancing to their first World Series final since 2009.
It was Harper’s fifth home run of the postseason as the underdog Phillies continued an incredible October run and will look to cap it off against either the Houston Astros or New York Yankees.
Rhys Hoskins also hit a two-run homer to spark Philadelphia’s improbable run to the National League pennant and a shot at its first World Series championship since 2008.
The Phillies qualified for the playoffs as a wild-card team and have since gone 9-2, eliminating the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves and the Padres en route to the World Series.
Harper, who joined the Phillies in 2019 after signing a mammoth 13-year, $330 million contract, is a big reason. He’s now hitting .400/.400/.850 across the postseason. The 30-year-old slugger was recognized as the Most Valuable Player of the NLCS after finishing the series going 8-20 at the plate with two home runs, three doubles and five RBIs.
“I knew he was going to come with his heater,” the two-time NL MVP said during a TV interview. “Just tried to take the best swing I could and was able to do damage with it.”
A driving force behind Philadelphia’s success is Canadian interim manager Rob Thomson, who was hired mid-season after Joe Girardi was dismissed from the job. The Sarnia native guided the Phillies to a 65-46 record after taking over for Girardi and is 74-48 if you factor in the playoffs.
It’s Thomson’s first time managing a major-league team after spending over 20 years in the Yankees’ organization.
The Astros hold a 3-0 advantage in the series, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday night at Yankee Stadium, but it could be postponed and rescheduled to Monday if weather conditions don’t improve. The Astros are a perfect 6-0 this postseason.
The Fall Classic will begin Friday night at the home of the AL champion.
With files from The Associated Press
