Overview

• The manager chose Aaron Nola over Ranger Suárez for the elimination start, saying he wanted one of them available in relief and trusted Nola’s big-game experience.
• Nola worked two scoreless innings on 31 pitches before being lifted; Suárez surrendered a first-pitch solo homer to Tommy Edman, then held Los Angeles scoreless over his next 71 pitches.
• Philadelphia’s bats broke it open in an 8-2 victory, chasing Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the fifth and tagging Clayton Kershaw late, with homers from Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto and multi-hit nights for Trea Turner and Bryce Harper.
• The call drew heavy blowback on social media during the game, including disbelief from former Met Lenny Dykstra.
• The result extends the series to Game 4 and buys Thomson breathing room as debate over his October decision-making and job security continues.