Philly Leader

Bryson Stott made his birthday memorable by delivering a decisive two-run triple in the eighth inning, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-6 victory over the New York Mets in Game 2 of the National League Division Series. This performance at Citizens Bank Park marked a historic moment, as per the Elias Sports Bureau, with Stott becoming the first MLB player to hit a go-ahead shot in the eighth inning or later during a postseason game on his birthday.

Reflecting on his performance, Stott ranked this birthday highly: "Pretty close to the top," he said before reconsidering. "Probably the top. That was fun."

The game saw Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos hitting back-to-back home runs earlier in the sixth inning, which helped overcome an initial three-run deficit. However, Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo's solo homer reclaimed their lead temporarily until Stott's critical play shifted momentum again.

Facing Mets closer Edwin Díaz, Stott managed to turn around a 4-3 deficit by lining a ball down right-field, allowing Harper and Castellanos to score and reclaim the lead for Philadelphia. Castellanos praised Stott’s contribution: "Huge. Huge," he remarked about Stott's crucial hit.

Harper expressed similar sentiments: "He better score," Harper recalled thinking as he crossed home plate during that play.

In addition to his offensive prowess, Stott also demonstrated defensive skills with an impressive leaping catch against J.D. Martinez in the first inning. Despite facing challenges offensively this season, he has maintained strong defensive capabilities at second base.

Stott shared how he and Harper have discussed ensuring their team remains active during their respective birthdays. They aim for continued success through upcoming games coinciding with teammates' birthdays like José Ruiz on October 21 and Tanner Banks on October 24.

Manager Rob Thomson commended Stott’s overall performance: "Especially on his birthday, that's big for him," Thomson said while highlighting both his effective batting efforts and pivotal triple that contributed significantly towards securing Sunday night's win.