Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins broke open NLDS Game 3 with the Atlanta Braves in the bottom of the third with a three-run home run and a bat slam — yes, slam — that will live for the ages.
After infielder Bryson Stott doubled in a six-pitch at-bat, the Braves intentionally walked Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber. Hoskins made them pay in the next at-bat to make it a 4-0 game.
Rhys Hoskins crushes a 3-run homer for the Phillies, and has an amazing bat toss/slam! ⚾️💣🔨 pic.twitter.com/adW80HuMUF
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 14, 2022
“Rhys Hoskins crushes a 3-run homer for the Phillies, and has an amazing bat toss/slam!” The Comeback tweeted.
The call sounded even better on local radio:
WELCOME TO THE PLAYOFFS, RHYS
THE INSANE CALL BY SCOTT FRANZKE pic.twitter.com/BOJZxztnXt
— Nick Piccone (@_piccone) October 14, 2022
The Phillies’ rally didn’t stop there. After catcher J.T. Realmuto hit a first-pitch single, outfielder Bryce Harper dinged a first-pitch home run in the next at-bat to make it 6-0 Phillies.
The MLB world quickly reacted on Twitter to Hoskins’ already legendary October moment:
An inning earlier, a man walked by the press box and yelled, "Trade Rhys Hoskins!" I'd like to find that dude right now.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) October 14, 2022
“An inning earlier, a man walked by the press box and yelled, ‘Trade Rhys Hoskins!’ I’d like to find that dude right now,” Matt Gelb said.
ATTENTION EVERYBODY: apologize to rhys hoskins right now.
— m (@matttadelphia) October 14, 2022
“ATTENTION EVERYBODY: apologize to Rhys Hoskins right now,” a Phillies fan wrote.
Rhys Hoskins with one of the most disrespectful pimp jobs ever @BarstoolPhilly pic.twitter.com/3DHULEMALH
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 14, 2022
Rhys Hoskins with one of the most disrespectful p*** jobs ever,” Barstool Sports tweeted.
RHYS HOSKINS HAS HIS OCTOBER MOMENT OH MY I HAVE GOOSEBUMPS
— The Good Phight (@TheGoodPhight) October 14, 2022
“RHYS HOSKINS HAS HIS OCTOBER MOMENT OH MY I HAVE GOOSEBUMPS,” wrote the Good Phight.
The fastball Spencer Strider threw Rhys Hoskins on the home run — after he hit 100.6 mph in the 1st inning — was right down the middle and only 93.8 mph.
That's tied for the slowest fastball Strider's thrown in his career. pic.twitter.com/FXeVOLTDyx
— David Adler (@_dadler) October 14, 2022
“The fastball Spencer Strider threw Rhys Hoskins on the home run — after he hit 100.6 mph in the 1st inning — was right down the middle and only 93.8 mph. That’s tied for the slowest fastball Strider’s thrown in his career,” David Adler reported.
The Phillies led the Braves 6-0 at the end of the third inning. The series is tied, 1-1.