32-year-old Jean Segura, in his first career playoff, came to the plate in the top of the 9th inning and the Phillies team trailing the Cardinals by one run in Game 1 of the NL Wildcard series. Segura was previously 0-3 on the day, but came through with a huge clutch two-run single to right field, the biggest hit of his career.
A two-run pinch-hit home run by Juan Yepez of the Cardinals in the bottom of the 7th inning off of Jose Alvarado, right down the left field line, gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead, which looked insurmountable.
That was Yepez's first career postseason at-bat.
The Cardinals would hold their lead until the 9th, when the Phils would explode (mixed with St. Louis imploding) for six runs to take a 6-2 lead.
Zack Wheeler started for the Phillies and was brilliant, allowing just two hits in 6.1 innings, throwing 96 pitches.
With one out in the 9th, J.T. Realmuto singled. Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos both forced walks, loading the bases for Alec Bohm, who was hit by a pitch, forcing in the Phillies' first run of the game.
Segura came through with the aforementioned go-ahead single, Bryson Stott hit a fielder's choice to first base as Edmundo Sosa beat the throw scoring another. Brandon Marsh came through with an RBI single to score Segura and the Phillies' sixth and final run of the inning came from a Kyle Schwarber sacrifice fly.
Zach Eflin would allow one run in the bottom of the 9th, but the Phils held on for a 6-3 win. Game 2 is on Saturday night (8:37pm) in St. Louis. Aaron Nola will get the start for the Phils, while righty Miles Mikolas will start for the Cards.
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