Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos played the role of the hero during the team’s win over the rival Braves on Wednesday.
In addition to generating three runs on offense with a pair of home runs, Castellanos saved Philadelphia in the bottom of the ninth inning with a sensational catch and throw which left commentator John Kruk going through a roller coaster of emotions.
With one out in a tie game, and the winning run on third, Atlanta’s No. 9 hitter Orlando Arcia popped a blooper into foul territory in shallow right field. While Castellanos could have let the ball drop and hope the Phillies recorded two consecutive outs without allowing the runner to score, he decided to catch the ball.
That decision then required him to deliver a perfect throw home in order to catch pinch-runner Luke Williams at the plate, and that’s exactly what Castellanos cooked up.
"Let it go, let it go, let it go...NOOOO......YES! YAAARGH!" - John Kruk pic.twitter.com/z31KHoPDH5
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 20, 2023
Kruk, well aware of the potential ramifications of the right fielder’s decision to catch the ball in the air, went through a wide range of emotions during the play.
“Let it go. Let it go. Let it go... No!... Yes! Yaaargh!” said Kruk, sounding like he was on the edge of his seat.
After initially encouraging Castellanos to let the ball go, Kruk was awestruck after the 31-year-old fired a perfect strike to Garrett Stubbs, who applied the tag on Williams and sent the game into extra innings.
The Phillies went on to win 6–5 in 10 innings thanks in part to a bold and courageous decision from Castellanos on defense.
