Jun 18, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos (8) celebrates with his team after hitting a game winning RBI double during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
On Pattison's countdown of the 15 best Phillies games of 2024 continues with a 4-3 victory over the Padres on June 18.
15) April 16, 2024 - Ranger Suarez throws a complete game shutout
14) September 14, 2024 - The Cal Stevenson game
13) May 18, 2024 - Kody Clemens ninth-inning home run
12) July 9, 2024 - Phillies clobber Dodgers, 10-1, in first game of series sweep
11) June 18, 2024 - Nick Castellanos walk-off double against Padres
Nick Castellanos led all of baseball in 2024 with four walk-off hits. Possibly the most thrilling of those walk-offs occurred in mid-June in Philadelphia against the Padres.
The three-game Padres series took place just after the Phils' disappointing 3-5 road trip to London, Boston, and Baltimore. The team's party bus was leaking a little oil. A few home games against San Diego, however, proved to be exactly what the Phillies needed to get back on track.
The first game was an easy W, with Kyle Schwarber hitting two home runs and Cristopher Sanchez holding the Friars to one run over seven innings.
But in the second game, the Phillies trailed 3-2 entering the ninth. Facing Padres reliever Robert Suarez (of Bedlam at the Bank fame), Bryce Harper led off the inning with a base hit. Two more singles, from Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott, scored Harper to tie the game at three.
Castellanos then lined a double to right field, completing the comeback.
THE FIGHTINS BABY pic.twitter.com/gg0yoYRwZU
The hit was Casty's fourth of the night, and it salvaged a game where the Phils left 12 runners on base over the first eight innings.
“We’re a really good team, and in order to beat us, you’ve got to put us away with all 27 outs,” said Castellanos after the game. “Considering I haven’t had the best year, to be able to come through when the team needs it feels good.”
Before June 18, Castellanos hit .209/.266/.356 (.622 OPS) with nine home runs in 72 games.
From June 18 on, he hit .293/.349/.494 (.843 OPS) with 14 home runs in 90 games.
A special guest even joined the postgame celebration:
A special member joined the Daycare today pic.twitter.com/Q4PZlZ52fg
The win improved the Phillies to 25-3 over their most recent 28 home games. Good times at the Bank.
