BRYCE Harper hit a two-run go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth inning and the host Philadelphia Phillies defeated the San Diego Padres 4-3 to capture the National League Championship Series in five games Sunday (Monday in Manila).
Rhys Hoskins homered and drove in two runs and J.T. Realmuto had two hits for the Phillies, who advanced to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
Kyle Schwarber drew three walks.
Phillies starter Zack Wheeler allowed three hits and two runs to go along with eight strikeouts and no walks in six-plus innings.
Jose Alvarado (1-0) earned the win and Ranger Suarez, normally a starter, recorded the final two outs for the save. Austin Nola flied out to right for the final out with runners on second and third.
Juan Soto hit a home run and Josh Bell added an RBI double for the Padres.
Padres starter Yu Darvish tossed six-plus innings and gave up four hits and two runs with five strikeouts and three walks.
Robert Suarez (0-1), who allowed the homer to Harper, took the loss.
In the other game, Yordan Alvarez hit a game-tying single in the seventh inning and Alex Bregman followed with a go-ahead single as the visiting Houston Astros advanced to their fourth World Series in six seasons with a 6-5 victory over the New York Yankees to complete a sweep of their best-of-seven American League Championship Series.
The Astros beat the Yankees for the third time to reach the World Series. After needing seven games in 2017 and six in 2019, the Astros finished off their first sweep in a best-of-seven series in team history with many fans clad in orange in the stands to watch the on-field celebration.
Houston will open the World Series Friday night (Saturday in Manila) at home against Philadelphia. The Astros lost to the Phillies in the 1980 NLCS when both teams competed in the NL.
The Astros rallied from deficits of 3-0 and 5-4 and capitalized on shaky New York defense in the seventh to regain the lead.
With one out, Jose Altuve hit a ground ball to first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who was shifted away from the bag. Jonathan Loaisiga (0-1) slightly hesitated running off the mound and Altuve’s left foot hit the base first.
After replay upheld the call, rookie Jeremy Pena hit a grounder to second baseman Gleyber Torres. Torres fielded the ball but made a throwing error on a backhand toss to shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Following the miscue, Alvarez stroked a single to right for a 5-5 tie. Bregman then lined a 2-2 sinker into center field off Clay Holmes for a 6-5 edge.
Pena hit a tying homer to help the Astros rally from an early 3-0 deficit and Yuli Gurriel hit an RBI single later in the third. — Field Level Media
