Ninth-inning grand slam comeback
Edmundo Sosa delivers a dramatic ninth-inning pinch-hit grand slam to defeat the Angels
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Key Points
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Sosa's pinch-hit grand slam traveled 108.5 mph off the bat, a blistering line drive off a changedup that cleared center field and sparked the walk-off moment.
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Sosa joined Ozzie Virgil as the only Phillies players on record (since at least 1910) to hit a pinch-hit go-ahead grand slam with the team trailing in the ninth; Virgil did it against the Giants on Sept. 2, 1983.
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The late-inning heroics followed a prior ninth-inning comeback in which Sosa delivered a clutch three-run double with two outs to set up Kyle Schwarber’s walk-off on Sunday against the Cardinals.
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The win solidified Philadelphia’s position in the NL wild-card race, moving the Phillies to 75-60 and placing them three games ahead of the Padres for the second wild-card spot, four ahead of the D-backs, and five back of the Braves in the NL East standings.
Edmundo Sosa hit a pinch-hit grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-3 comeback win over the Los Angeles Angels. Yahoo Sports reported that Sosa's line drive traveled 108.5 mph off a changeup from Angels reliever Peralta, clearing center field for the walk-off moment.
The dramatic finish capped a wild ninth inning after Angels center fielder Wade Meckler robbed Bryson Stott of a potential homer earlier in the frame. The Good Phight noted that Sosa's heroics moved the Phillies to 75-60, placing them three games ahead of the Padres for the second NL wild-card spot.
Sosa Joins Elite Phillie History with Ninth-Inning Slam
Sosa became only the second Phillie to hit a pinch-hit go-ahead grand slam in the ninth inning. News.com.au reported that he joined Ozzie Virgil, who hit a similar slam against the Giants on September 2, 1983—a feat unseen by a Phillie since 1910. Sosa also became the first to deliver a two-out ninth-inning grand slam with the team trailing.
The blast marked Sosa's first career grand slam and highlighted his clutch role off the bench. His line drive off the changeup sailed over center field with two outs, silencing the Angels crowd and sparking a wild celebration among his Phillies teammates on the baseline.
Meckler's Robbery Couldn't Stop Phillies' Rally
Wade Meckler's diving catch on Bryson Stott's drive earlier in the ninth briefly swung momentum toward Los Angeles. The Chronicle described how Meckler's defensive heroics appeared to dampen the Phillies' comeback hopes. But the Angels couldn't capitalize on the momentum shift, and Sosa delivered the decisive blow just two batters later.
The sequence energized Philadelphia's dugout. Fans chanted for Sosa as he stepped into the batter's box, sensing an opportunity for redemption after Meckler's earlier catch had quieted the Phillies' rally.
Sosa's Second Clutch Ninth-Inning Heroic in Two Days
This marked Sosa's second dramatic ninth-inning heroic in as many games. Philadelphia Sports Reports noted that against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sosa hit a clutch three-run double with two outs in the ninth to set up Kyle Schwarber's walk-off homer two batters later. The pattern revealed a player thriving under pressure.
Sosa's emergence as a late-inning weapon has transformed the Phillies' bench production. His ability to deliver with runners in scoring position and two outs has become invaluable as Philadelphia pushes for playoff positioning in a tight wild-card race.
Phillies Strengthen Wild-Card Position with Victory
The win moved the Phillies to 75-60 and improved their standing in the NL wild-card race. The Good Phight reported that Philadelphia now sits three games ahead of the San Diego Padres for the second wild-card spot and four ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team remains five games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.
Philadelphia's ability to win close games has become a signature trait of their recent stretch. The Phillies' back-to-back ninth-inning comebacks demonstrate resilience and clutch execution when it matters most in the pennant race.
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