PHILADELPHIA – Max Muncy’s ninth-inning home run off Zack Wheeler silenced Citizens Bank Park. The solo shot gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 2-1 victory. It also tied Muncy for fifth-most homers in franchise history with “The Penguin,” Ron Cey.
Wheeler dominated for eight innings. He struck out nine. Muncy worked the count to 2-2. He connected on a 96-mph fastball, sending it into the right-field seats. The stadium fell dead quiet. Muncy’s 238th career homer as a Dodger matched Cey’s mark. Only Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Roy Campanella, and Eric Karros are ahead.
The Phillies’ bottom of the ninth began with promise. A leadoff single by Kyle Schwarber. A walk to Trea Turner. Runners on first and second, no outs. But the rally died on a single play.
JT Realmuto grounded to shortstop. The ball was hit softly. Realmuto broke for second base. He stopped. He turned back. He was caught in a rundown. The Dodgers completed the double play when Turner was thrown out at third. The game ended.
Yahoo Sports labeled it a “disastrous game-ending double play.” ESPN cited a “baserunning lapse.” Realmuto admitted he misread the situation. The Phillies’ loss dropped them to 5-7 in one-run games this season.
Muncy’s homer was his second of the year. He is hitting .250 with a .900 OPS. The Dodgers improved to 18-10, best in the National League. The Phillies fell to 14-12.
Key Stats: Muncy vs. Phillies
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Muncy’s career HR with Dodgers | 238 |
| Rank on Dodgers’ all-time HR list | T-5th |
| Wheeler’s strikeouts (8 IP) | 9 |
| Phillies’ record in one-run games | 5-7 |
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What was the key moment in Max Muncy’s game-winning home run?
- A: Muncy connected on a 2-2 count off Zack Wheeler’s 96-mph fastball, sending it into the right-field seats in the ninth inning, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.
- Q: What Dodgers record did Max Muncy tie with this home run?
- A: Muncy tied Ron Cey for fifth-most home runs in Dodgers franchise history with his 238th career homer as a Dodger.
- Q: How did the Phillies lose the game after Muncy’s home run?
- A: The Phillies started the ninth with a single and walk, but JT Realmuto’s baserunning blunder led to a game-ending double play, killing the rally.
Extended Reading
The baserunning blunder by Realmuto, detailed in a Yahoo Sports report, showed a lack of awareness. The Dodgers capitalized on the mistake, turning a routine grounder into a game-ending double play. Muncy’s historic homer, covered by MLB.com, underscored the Dodgers’ depth and resilience.