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Kiley McDaniel, ESPN MLB Insider
ATLANTA — In a stunning turn of events, Michael Harris II executed a historic and unlikely double play to lead the Braves’ remarkable comeback in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Phillies.
After overcoming a four-run deficit, the Braves held onto a narrow 5-4 lead in the ninth inning with Bryce Harper on first base and Nick Castellanos at bat with one out. Castellanos hit a fly ball to deep right-center field, a shot that had the potential to be a home run in five major league ballparks and StatCast predicted a .610 expected batting average.
However, Harris anticipated the trajectory and explained his quick reaction, stating, “I knew off the bat it was going to be close to the fence, so I knew once I went back, I wasn’t stopping. I was going to do anything I could to get a glove on it.”
Harris made an incredible leap, catching the ball while colliding with the outfield wall. He immediately regained his balance and swiftly threw the ball back to the infield towards second base. At that moment, Harper was already several steps past second base.
“Usually you don’t pass the base,” commented Phillies manager Rob Thomson. “You stay in front of it, make sure it’s not caught. But he thought the ball was clearly over his head, didn’t think he was going to catch it. And Harris made a heck of a play. Unbelievable. He tried to get back, and he slipped, but usually you stay in front of the second base.”
Ozzie Albies, the second baseman, missed an attempt to catch Harris’ throw, but fortunately, third baseman Austin Riley was in position between second base and the mound, backing up Albies. Riley explained, “I think the only reason I was in the position that I was because I was screaming one and just momentum just kept pulling me that way. And it ended up just being right spot at the right time.”
In one fluid motion, Riley scooped the ball backhanded and made a seamless throw to first, simulating the act of fielding a slow roller at third base. This concluded the game, marking the first-ever 8-5-3 double play in MLB postseason history and the first double play involving an outfielder to end a postseason game.
Harris admitted after the game that he had no idea where Harper was, which is why he threw the ball towards second base. He expressed his admiration for Riley’s extraordinary throw, stating, “We just saw a slomo here [in the clubhouse]. I didn’t know that he went past second, so I threw it in … I guess Riley was right there in the right spot to make the throw, made an incredible throw.”
Harper praised Harris for his remarkable play, saying, “Just taking a chance. Michael made a great play and doubled me up. Tough way to end it.”
The Phillies were leading 4-0 in the sixth inning and 4-1 in the seventh when Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud hit a two-run homer off former Mets teammate Zack Wheeler, narrowing the gap to 4-3. This disrupted an otherwise outstanding performance by Wheeler, who struck out 10 batters, walked one, and allowed only three hits.
“We were trying to stay as positive as possible in that dugout,” Riley explained the mentality of the Braves leading up to the home run. “Everybody was saying we just got to keep going, got to keep going. [Wheeler] had an unbelievable night. He was very dominant… Once we got that crowd back in it, good things happen.”
Riley delivered the final blow with a go-ahead homer off Jeff Hoffman.
“I was just trying to put a barrel on the ball,” he said. “That’s all it was. It’s definitely up there with my top [homers].”
The series now moves to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4. The Phillies will start Aaron Nola on Wednesday, while Braves manager Brian Snitker will announce their Game 3 starter on Tuesday.
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