PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Phillies took on the Dodgers for Game 2 of the NLDS Monday night, and while it technically was not a must-win game, it sure had the feel of one.
The Phillies opened the game with Jesus Luzardo on the mound. This was his second career postseason start at Citizens Bank Park, but his first as a Phillie. He lost Game 1 of the 2023 NL wildcard series for the Marlins. Zack Wheeler and the Phillies beat him 4-1. Luzardo allowed 3 earned runs on 8 hits in 4 innings pitched.
In the top of the third, Shohei Ohtani put the ball in play for the first time this series, grounding out to second. Luzardo retired eight in a row.
Edmundo Sosa got the Phillies' first hit in the 5th inning with a single to right-center with two outs.
The game remained scoreless through the top of the 7th inning when the Dodgers got the first run on a slowly hit groundball to short. Hernandez just beat the throw home.
Will Smith had a two-run single in the 7th, bringing the Dodgers up 3-0. Right after that, Ohtani had his first hit of the series: an RBI single, bumping the score to 4-0.
The Phillies finally made it on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 8th inning, with Max Kepler getting a 1-out, pinch-hit triple. He was the team’s first runner to get to 3rd base. Next up was Trea Turner, who got an RBI single: a 4-1 game. And just like that, Kyle Schwarber struck out and Bryce Harper flew out to center. The boos rained down at the stadium.
The Phillies came back swinging in the bottom of the 9th. Alec Bohm led off with a single, J.T. Realmuto doubled with runners on 2nd and 3rd and no outs, and Nick Castellanos got a two-run double. The score jumped 4-3. Bryson Stott tried to sacrifice with a bunt, but Castellanos was thrown out at 3rd. Harrison Bader singled with runners on 1st and 2nd. The second out came after Max Kepler's ground ball.
Turner grounded out to second; Freddie Freeman scooped a bad throw. The Phillies put up a good fight, but lost 4-3.
The Phillies dropped Game 1 to the Dodgers Saturday night.
Game 3 is Wednesday at 9:08 p.m. in Los Angeles.