Philly Leader

PHILADELPHIA -- On Tuesday, Justin Verlander threw Nick Castellanos a first-pitch fastball in the fourth inning for a strike. Verlander later said he ignored his instincts and followed with an 0-1 curveball. Castellanos, who sees fastballs at a lower rate than any hitter in the Majors this season, expected something soft because he almost always sees something soft. He crushed Verlander’s hanging breaking ball for a three-run home run in a victory over the Astros at Citizens Bank Park.

Castellanos found himself in a similar situation in Thursday night’s 5-4 victory over the Braves. He represented the potential go-ahead run in the seventh inning after Brandon Marsh's three-run homer in the sixth pulled the Phillies within one.

Braves right-hander Grant Holmes threw Castellanos a first-pitch fastball, which he tipped foul for a strike. Holmes then did what Verlander wanted to do, perhaps thinking Castellanos would be sitting soft: He threw Castellanos an 0-1 fastball.

Castellanos said he almost expected it after lining out on a third consecutive fastball from Charlie Morton with runners in scoring position in the first inning. Castellanos crushed Holmes’ 95.2 mph heater down the middle of the plate into the trees in center field for a two-run home run to give the Phillies the lead -- and a badly needed win against a team that has given them fits since Opening Day.

“I wouldn’t say I was hunting a fastball, but I was ready for it,” Castellanos said. “My instinct was, 'Don’t let another fastball get blown by you.'”

Holmes shook his head after the game when asked if he wished he threw an 0-1 breaking ball instead.

“I just didn’t put it in the right spot,” Holmes said.

The Phils’ (79-55) victory extended their lead over the Braves (73-61) in the NL East to six games with 28 games to play. If the Phillies play .500 for the rest of the season to finish 93-69, the Braves would need to finish 20-8 (.714) just to force a tie.

The odds are in favor of Philadelphia. They can really seize control with a strong finish to the weekend.

Before Marsh homered in the sixth, Philadelphia had not scored in 15 consecutive innings, dating back to Tuesday night against Houston. They had scored only seven runs in their last 50 innings against Atlanta.

This comeback victory represented one of Philadelphia’s most important wins of the season.

It was why fans roared when Castellanos jogged out to his spot in right field at the top of the eighth inning.

“It’s fun, man,” Castellanos said. “It’s a high. It’s a cool feeling when you have everybody stand up and just show you love.”

Castellanos has been one of Philadelphia’s most consistent hitters for months, batting .280 with 15 homers, 56 RBIs and an .817 OPS since May 19. Marsh, however, had been struggling for weeks. He hit just .152 with three homers, 11 RBIs and a .487 OPS across 32 games from July 12-August 22. He struck out 41 times in 102 plate appearances (40.2%) during that span.

Morton struck out Marsh in each of his first two at-bats on Thursday. The Phillies had two on with one out in the sixth when Marsh stepped into the batter’s box. The Braves had left-hander Aaron Bummer warming up in their bullpen and seemed likely to bring him into face Marsh given his struggles against lefties this season (.200 average with .532 OPS).

But Morton remained on mound as Marsh took advantage by hitting an o-1 curveball over left-field wall putting Phillies within one run margin

“I did something I never do -- I sat soft,” Marsh said.

Why?

“He was getting ahead quickly using breaking balls," explained marsh "So I tried avoiding falling behind again saw pitch up & out took chance."

The ball carried clearing fence pulling phillies closer

"I thought hit too high initially," admitted marsh "But game favored us"

Marsh is batting .346 with two homers five RBIs alongwith improved OPS(1.o106) past seven games showing reduced strikeout rate(34%). Recently focusing more opposite field hitting approach

“I feel like that’s been my little honey hole to left-center,” stated marsh “Just trying keep things simple taking back spring training mindset seeing reacting naturally.”