Matt Strahm expressed frustration after giving up a crucial home run to Teoscar Hernández in the seventh inning, leading to the Philadelphia Phillies’ 5-3 defeat against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park.
The turning point came when Phillies reliever David Robertson allowed the first two batters to reach base in the seventh. Strahm entered and struck out Shohei Ohtani on a fastball, then induced an infield pop-out from Mookie Betts. However, with two runners on, catcher J.T. Realmuto called for an inside fastball to Hernández. Strahm delivered a pitch on the outer half of the plate instead, which Hernández hit for a three-run homer to right-center field.
Strahm’s reaction was visible as he shook his head while Hernández rounded the bases and later shouted into his glove.
The home run put Philadelphia behind by two runs in the best-of-five series opener. The Phillies made aggressive moves late in the game, including pinch-hitting Edmundo Sosa for Brandon Marsh with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning. After center fielder Harrison Bader left due to groin tightness, Max Kepler took over in center field for the ninth inning.
Despite their efforts, Sosa flied out to center field against Dodgers left-hander Alex Vesia, ending a key scoring opportunity and sealing Game 1 for Los Angeles.
