The Los Angeles Dodgers weathered a relentless ninth-inning rally to edge the Philadelphia Phillies 4–3 in a tension-filled Game 2 at a roaring Citizens Bank Park.
Blake Snell was brilliant on the mound, silencing the Phillies over six masterful innings and striking out nine batters before the Dodgers’ offense finally came alive in the seventh inning.
Dodgers catcher Will Smith’s two-run single, paired with Shohei Ohtani’s first Runs Batted In (RBI) of the series, appeared to quiet the Philly faithful; however, Citizens Bank Park roared back to life when Nick Castellanos ripped a two-out double in the ninth inning, nearly flipping the game's script and turning the pressure back on Los Angeles.
In one of the defining moments of the night, Freddie Freeman bailed out the Dodgers after a bad throw to first from Tommy Edman, making a crucial save that kept the rally at bay. It took gold-glove defense from Freeman and fearless positioning by Mookie Betts to finally seal the win in those breath-taking final moments.
Attending this game in person felt profoundly different than watching it on TV. The energy in the stadium was electric; you could feel the tension pulse through every pitch and foul ball.
As the ninth inning unfolded, I found myself standing the entire time, heart pounding as if I were part of the Dodgers’ defensive stand.
I’ve covered many games for sports media, but this one felt unique.
The atmosphere in Citizens Bank Park was a constant wave of emotion—moments of deafening applause for the Phillies followed by sudden gasps and groans when the Dodgers turned the momentum.
Being behind the dugout offered me unparalleled insight into the players’ composure. Snell’s quiet confidence after each strikeout reminded me of interviews I’ve conducted with athletes who emphasize mental discipline in high-pressure situations.
Watching Ohtani at the plate, I couldn’t help but reflect on past sideline work at the Gotham Football Club’s (FC) media day and my New York Red Bulls internship, where small details—like body language in a tense at-bat—revealed volumes about focus and readiness. In these postseason games, those split-second mental adjustments mean everything.
When Freeman dug out an errant throw in the ninth, I immediately recognized it as the kind of split-second defensive highlight that defines a playoff series. Years of observing major-league infield drills gave me a deeper appreciation for just how much instinct, practice and awareness went into that save.
The stadium’s electricity after that play was indescribable—Dodgers fans scattered among the Philly crowd erupted, while Phillies fans slumped back into their seats, stunned.
For the Phillies, the upcoming Game 3 in Los Angeles is now a must-win to keep their postseason hopes alive. They need sharper situational hitting and improved bullpen command.
Aaron Nola must command the strike zone early and avoid falling behind in counts against this aggressive Dodgers lineup. Hitters like Trea Turner and Alec Bohm must spark the offense from the leadoff inning.
The Dodgers, heading back home to Chavez Ravine, need sustained offensive pressure and steadiness from a bullpen anchored by emerging reliever Roki Sasaki, who has shown flashes of brilliance.
With a chance to clinch on home turf, every pitch and every swing will carry the charged emotion unique to October baseball.
This game wasn’t just about skill—it was about drama, resilience and the mental toughness that makes playoff baseball unforgettable.
Being there, hearing the crowd’s roar fade and return with every moment, made me realize again why I fell in love with sports reporting: because every game tells a story, and some nights in October, that story is impossible to forget.
Jeremy Son is a writer for The Setonian’s Opinion section. He can be reached at jeremy.son@student.shu.edu.
