Edmundo Sosa hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning, propelling the Phillies to a 4-3 victory over the Dodgers. The homer followed a strikeout earlier in the game when Sosa was brought in as a pinch-hitter.
Mattingly’s Pinch-Hitting Gamble
In the sixth inning, with the bases loaded and one out, Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly opted to replace Brandon Marsh with Edmundo Sosa against left-handed reliever Alex Vesia. Mattingly said he “just liked the matchup” and “felt like that was a spot we needed to try to score there”.
Sosa struck out on four pitches, and Alec Bohm grounded out to end the inning, leaving the bases loaded. Despite the immediate setback, Mattingly’s decision ultimately proved fruitful.
Sosa’s Game-Winning Homer
Trailing 3-2 in the eighth with one on and two outs, Sosa faced another left-handed reliever, Tanner Scott. After swinging at two high pitches, Sosa laid off a breaking ball before smashing a fastball over the heart of the plate for a two-run homer to left field.
“I left it too much in the zone,” Scott said of the pitch. Sosa reacted by dropping his bat and admiring the ball’s flight before starting his home run trot.
“It felt good, honestly,” Sosa said. “I knew that it was going to the other side as soon as I connected with it. I just tried to put my head down and talk to myself a little, enjoy the moment. When these things happen, you have to take your time and enjoy these things.”
Marsh’s Reaction to Being Pulled
Brandon Marsh acknowledged his desire to be in the game but supported the manager’s decision. “Of course I want the at-bat and I want to be in there and I want to come through for the guys,” Marsh said. “But tonight just wasn’t my night; it was Sosa’s night.”
Marsh was the first player to greet Sosa after his earlier strikeout and also gave him a hug upon his return to the dugout after the home run. “That’s my guy,” Marsh said. “That’s just the relationship that we have with each other in this locker room — and it’s not just with me and ‘Sos,’ it’s with everybody.”
Marsh said, “I’m riding with Donnie,” regarding Mattingly’s decision.
Marsh is having a breakout season and is in the hunt for a batting title.
Marsh’s Role on the Team
Marsh has transitioned from a platoon player to an everyday outfielder for the Phillies. However, he has not yet earned a full green light against left-handed pitchers.
Mattingly said of the decision to pinch hit Sosa, “I just liked the matchup… honestly, I felt like that was a spot we needed to try to score there, and just the left-on-left — although Marsh has been playing for the most part — I still like ‘Sos’ there.”
Sosa replaced Marsh in left field after the strikeout.
“Yeah, I knew that was gonna happen,” Mattingly said with a grin, regarding Sosa’s later home run.