Game 4 of the 2022 National League Championship Series, played on October 22 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a high-stakes affair marked by dramatic lead changes and powerful offensive displays. The game, played under mostly cloudy skies with a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, saw the Philadelphia Phillies overcome an early deficit to defeat the San Diego Padres 10–6. This victory brought the Phillies within one win of advancing
to the World Series, showcasing their resilience and offensive firepower in a crucial moment of the series.
Early Leads and Quick Exits for Starters
The game began with an explosive first inning, setting the tone for a back-and-forth battle. The San Diego Padres quickly established a 4–0 lead. Manny Machado initiated the scoring with a solo home run, followed by a two-run double from Brandon Drury. These early hits forced Philadelphia's starting pitcher, Bailey Falter, out of the game. His replacement, Connor Brogdon, then gave up a single to Ha-seong Kim, which scored Drury and extended the Padres' lead. However, the Phillies responded immediately in the bottom of the first. Rhys Hoskins hit a two-run home run, cutting the lead in half, and Bryce Harper followed with a run-scoring double, bringing Philadelphia within one run. This offensive surge also led to an early exit for San Diego's starting pitcher, Mike Clevinger. This marked a rare occurrence, as it was the first time two opposing starters had been pulled in the first inning of a postseason game since the 1932 World Series.
The Seesaw Battle Continues
The scoring continued in the fourth inning when Bryson Stott tied the game at four, scoring Nick Castellanos, though Stott was tagged out at second base. The Padres briefly regained the lead in the fifth inning when Juan Soto hit a two-run home run, giving San Diego a 6–4 advantage. However, this lead was short-lived. In the bottom of the fifth, Rhys Hoskins hit his second two-run home run of the game, this time off Sean Manaea, to tie the score at six. Bryce Harper then delivered an RBI double, giving Philadelphia its first lead of the game. Castellanos followed with a single that bounced off second base, scoring Harper and extending the Phillies' lead to 8–6.
Phillies Pull Away with Late Homers
The Phillies solidified their lead in the later innings with additional home runs. Kyle Schwarber launched a solo home run in the sixth inning off Luis Garcia, further increasing Philadelphia's advantage. J. T. Realmuto added another solo home run in the seventh inning off Steven Wilson. These late-game blasts contributed to the Phillies' commanding 10–6 victory. The win was credited to Brad Hand as the winning pitcher, while Sean Manaea took the loss. The game's attendance was recorded at 45,467, witnessing a memorable offensive showcase and a significant step for the Phillies towards the World Series.
