Jean Segura makes huge impact in first postseason game for Philadelphia Phillies

ST. LOUIS — In his 11th MLB season, Jean Segura made his first-ever postseason hit count in a big way for the Philadelphia Phillies.

With the Philadelphia Phillies down 2-0 entering the ninth inning at Busch Stadium on Friday afternoon, Segura came through with a two-run single as part of a six-run final frame that pushed the Phillies to a 6-3 win over the host St. Louis Cardinals. Segura’s single through the Cardinals infield on a 2-2 pitch provided Philadelphia with the tying and go-ahead run, helping Philadelphia take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Wild Card matchup.

Breaking down Jean Segura’s big hit for the Philadelphia Phillies

With Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante in the sunshine and Segura in the shadows at home plate as late afternoon crept into St. Louis, Segura said he was trying to be defensive in the ninth inning with a 2-2 count.

“It was really tough to pick up the ball,” Segura said. “I just really trying to put the ball in play and play the game.”

Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson praised Segura for his at-bat in a critical situation.

“When you put the ball in play with two strikes in the ninth inning, that is what you have to do,” Thomson said. “They played the infield in to try to cut down the run or possibly double play from balls hit firm. But the ball luckily just got by the second baseman, and we scored a couple runs there.

“Great at-bat. Just put the ball in play with two strikes and keep fighting.”

And how would Thomson describe the energy in the Philadelphia dugout after taking the lead in the ninth inning?

“Electric,” he smiled. “Those guys were right into it. Yeah. It was great.”

Segura’s single was part of a ninth-inning rally that live in the minds of Phillies fans, as well as the franchise record books. By scoring six in the ninth in a road game, Philadelphia came from behind to take the lead by using that many runs since a seven-run outburst against the then-Florida Marlins on April 24, 2009. Additionally, the six runs were the most the Phillies had scored in a single postseason inning since 1969.

As historic and feel-good as the win for the Phillies was on Friday, however, Segura knows that the job isn’t finished with just one victory.

“It meant a lot, but we still have a long way to go,” Segura said. “The job is not finished. We win today, come back tomorrow, and keep playing baseball.”