Every Pitch: Soto's Pennant-Winning At-Bat
You know that feeling when you're watching a game and you just know something big is about to happen? That's what it felt like in the bottom of the 9th of Game 5 of the 2019 NLDS. The Nationals were down to their last strike, and Juan Soto, the young phenom, was at the plate with the bases loaded. The Phillies had a 3-2 lead and were one out away from advancing to the NLCS.
It was a tense situation. Soto had already had a great series, but he was facing a tough pitcher in Hector Neris. Neris was throwing heat, and Soto had to be ready for anything. The count quickly went to 2-2, and the tension in the stadium was palpable.
The Duel Begins: Every Pitch
The first pitch was a slider that Soto fouled off. The second pitch was a fastball that Soto hit back to the pitcher for an easy out. The crowd went silent. Neris was pumped.
The third pitch was another slider, but this time Soto was ready. He sent the ball flying into right field, driving in two runs and tying the game! The crowd erupted. Soto was a hero!
The Winning Run
The Nationals were alive. They had new life, and they were ready to fight for the win. Soto came up again in the 10th inning, and he didn't disappoint. He got a fastball on the outside corner, and he sent it flying over the fence! The stadium was going crazy. The Nationals had won the game, and they had won the series! Soto was the hero, and the nation was on fire.
Soto's at-bat was a classic. It was a moment that will be remembered for years to come. It was a moment that showed why Juan Soto is one of the best young players in baseball. He's got the talent, the drive, and the clutch gene. The rest of the world saw that in that pennant-winning moment.