PHILADELPHIA (94WIP) — Jean Segura, in his first career playoff, came up clutch and powered a historic Phillies rally for their first playoff win in more than 11 years.
He came to the plate in the top of the ninth inning with the Phillies 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, leading to a six-run inning and a 6-3 win in St. Louis.
It's the first postseason win for the Phillies since the 2011 NLDS against the same Cardinals.
A two-run pinch-hit home run by Juan Yepez of the Cardinals in the bottom of the seventh 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 ninth when the Phils would explode for six runs to take a 6-2 lead.
With one out in the ninth, 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 ninth, but the Phils held on for the win.
Zack Wheeler started for the Phillies and was brilliant, allowing just two hits in 6.1 innings, throwing 96 pitches.
This was the Phillies' first playoff win since Oct. 4, 2011 in game three of the National League Division Series, a victory over the Cardinals.
Game 2 is on Saturday night at 8:37 p.m. in St. Louis. Aaron Nola will get the start for the Phils, while righty Miles Mikolas will start for the Cards.