The Philadelphia Phillies win their first series of the season behind Justin Crawford's walk-off hit.
The Philadelphia Phillies needed some good vibes and a reason to celebrate after a slightly slow and, in some ways, frustrating start to the new MLB season.
That moment of rejoice finally came on Wednesday afternoon with Philadelphia’s 6-5, extra innings, series-clinching victory over the Washington Nationals.
The Phillies' offense finally started to show some signs of life, tallying 12 hits, three of which went for extra bases.
The story of the game, and the center of the Phillies’ offensive success, was the rookie, Justin Crawford, who checked off multiple career-firsts against Washington.
Crawford logged his first three-hit performance, first RBI, first extra base hit, and, most importantly, his first walk-off win. Thanks to Crawford's 10th inning base hit through the center of the infield, the Phillies had a reason to celebrate and ended the home stand on a high note.
Apr 1, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford (2) is doused with water after his walk off game winning RBI single during the tenth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images“That felt good,” said Crawford, the game. “Just being able to get out there and help the boys win and get that win today, and that felt really good, and I was glad I was able to be a part of it.”
As for the play that won the Phillies the game, Crawford was set up for the big moment, thanks to a JT Realmuto base hit to advance Brandon Marsh to third base.
The situation was tailor-made for Crawford to be the hero, but he still had to execute. The Nationals brought the infield in, planning to go home on anything with Marsh standing 90 feet from home plate, but Crawford didn’t give them an opportunity to.
The rookie outfielder smoked a 106.9 mph ground ball right up the middle, easily allowing Marsh to score and win the game.
Crawford said he was “just trying to see a pitch up and try to put a good swing on it, and thankfully, it was that first one… I mean, that's all I was trying to do. Put it in front, try to make something happen, put pressure on the defense.”
The sample size has obviously been small with the Phillies only playing six games so far this year, but there’s been a lot to like about what Crawford has been able to do at the plate. In his first 17 big-league at-bats, the 22-year-old owns a .915 OPS and has demonstrated some solid discipline, too.
Executing in the big moment and coming through with a walk-off hit in Crawford’s fifth game is just one more example that he’s ready to make a real impact at the Major League level and to help this Phillies team in any way needed.
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