Walk-off Magic
Many of the 42,610 Citizens Bank Park crowd had left the Sunday, Aug. 23, game against the Cardinals. The Phillies, riding an eight-game winning streak, had four hits going into the bottom of the ninth, training 4-0. In tri-state homes, one could imagine TV sets were turned off. Same for radios.
Those who stayed in person or on TV and radio witnessed one of the greatest come-from-behind victories in franchise history when Kyle Schwarber sent a 459-foot bomb OVER the center-field batter’s eye. That eye had the greatest view of the two-run walk-off home run. A magical 6-4 victory.
How magical?
- Bryce Harper doubled on an 0-2 pitch
- Luis Arraez, fly ball to left field (1-2 count). One out
- Brandon Marsh, fly to left (2-1 pitch). Two out
- JT Realmuto, single to center (1-2 count); Harper to third
- Justin Crawford, walk (3-1 count)
- Edmundo Sosa, three-run double to left (1-2 count)
- Bryan De La Cruz, game-tying single to left (2-2 count)
- Kyle Schwarber bomb (2-2 pitch)
Nuggets
Schwarber’s walk-off home run was the Phillies first since June 9, 2023 (also Schwarber). It ended the longest drought in MLB. Every other team had at least TWO walk-off home runs during that span -- and four teams had at least 10.
The Phils hadn’t overcome a four-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth since Harper’s memorable walk-off grand slam against the Cubs on Aug. 15, 2019. Trailing, 5-1, the one-out slam capped a six-run inning.
Philadelphia hadn’t won a game in which it trailed by at least four runs while down to its last out since April 13, 1983. (Pete Rose, Joe Morgan and Mike Schmidt hit in that ninth inning before Bo Diaz smacked an ultimate grand slam).
There have been 209 walk-off home runs hit by 131 Phillies players since 1900. ... Mike Schmidt is the all-time leader with 10. Next are Ryan Howard and Cy Williams with six each. ... Schwarber became the 23rd with two.
Schmidt’s Magical 10
• April 22, 1973, G2: Future Hall of Famer Bob Gibson (Cardinals). 2-out solo HR B9, 2-1 win. Mike’s 2nd career homer.
• April 6, 1974: Future teammate Tug McGraw (Mets). 1-out 2-R HR B9, 5-4 win. Opening Day.
• April 14, 1975: Jerry Cram (Mets). Solo leading off B9, 4-3 win.
• Sept. 16, 1978: Dwight Bernard (Mets). Solo 1 out B10, 2-1 win.
• Oct. 2, 1981: Dick Tidrow (Cubs). Pinch-hitting for Larry Bowa, B9, 2-out, 3-run HR, 9-7 win. First of 2 career PH HR.
• May 7, 1982: Luis Deleon (Padres). 2-2 game, 2 out B9, Pete Rose walked intentionally to pitch to Mike, 3-run walk-off, 5-2 win.
• Sept. 3, 1982: Joe Niekro (Astros). 2-out solo HR B9, 2-1 win.
• May 28, 1983: Jeff Reardon (Expos). 2-out 2-run HR B9, 5-3 win. #
• July 22, 1983: Jeff Heathcoat (Astros). 2 out solo B9, 7-6 win.
• Sept. 10, 1985: Tim Burke (Expos). 0 out 2 on B11, 3-run HR, 5-2 win.
# Entering the game hitless in his last 18 at-bats, Schmidt strikes out four times on 12 pitches. The 13th pitch he sees is crushed for a two-run, game-winning homer.