Philadelphia Phillies star Nick Castellanos came up big in Game 3 of their NLDS series against the Atlanta Braves, recording two home runs to help them take a 2-1 series lead. And miraculously, he did the same thing in Game 4 of the series on Thursday night, entering the MLB record books in the process.
The stakes don’t get much higher for both teams heading into this game. A win from the Phillies would clinch a birth for the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks, while a Braves win would force a winner-take-all Game 5.
Castellanos rose to the occasion yet again on Thursday night, hitting his first home run of the night in the bottom of the fourth inning off of Braves ace Spencer Strider.
Nick Castellanos with a game-tying blast! ⚾️💣 #NLDS pic.twitter.com/FMhH3Ugx82
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 13, 2023
His next at-bat was an impactful one, emphatically knocking Strider out of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning after his second solo home run of the game.
NICK CASTELLANOS AGAIN!
His second homer of the night knocks Braves ace Spencer Strider out of the game.
It is LOUD in Philadelphia. 3-1 Phillies in Game 4. #NLDS ⚾️💣💣pic.twitter.com/5sFGBpIHv6
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 13, 2023
Castellanos is on one heck of a tear right now at the plate, and fans are singing his praises on social media.
NICK CASTELLANOS HAS TWO SONS AT THE BALLPARK
LIAM
AND SPENCER STRIDER pic.twitter.com/vOxz05GuIe
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) October 13, 2023
NICK CASTELLANOS IS OUT OF HIS MIND RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/vLdGMQjRxC
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 13, 2023
Nick Castellanos: October Legend @BarstoolPhilly pic.twitter.com/JiEqkpLpIa
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 13, 2023
FOUR home runs in his last two games.
Nick Castellanos is LOCKED in. pic.twitter.com/wYkHcOTdyh
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) October 13, 2023
Nick Castellanos’ son is back at the ballpark for the first time in months and his dad has hit four home runs in 24 hours. THIS KID IS LIVING THE DREAM AND SPORTS ARE THE BEST.pic.twitter.com/2mCpOEjmz5
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) October 13, 2023
This is without a doubt the best two-game stretch that Castellanos has ever had. To this point, he had never had any back-to-back multi-home run games in his career.
To do so in such a big moment is nothing short of spectacular, as he is the first hitter in MLB history to ever have back-to-back multi-home run games in the postseason.
How amazing is baseball?
The first hitter in history to have back-to-back multihomer games in the postseason is …
Nick Castellanos …
A guy who has never had back-to-back multi-homer games in the regular season.
Because of course he is!
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) October 13, 2023
Making an impact when it matters most is the name of the game. And Castellanos has done that more than anyone in this series.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.