The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, right, is mobbed at home plate by his teammates after he hit a walk-off grand slam to give them a 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws to the plate during his major-league debut against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers second baseman Miguel Vargas can’t get to a ball hit for a double by the Philadelphia Phillies’ Trea Turner during the first inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy, right, loses track of the ball as the Philadelphia Phillies’ Nick Castellanos hit into a fielder’s choice while shortstop Chris Taylor backs him up during the first inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. Muncy was charged with an error on the play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper, top, scores on a double by Nick Castellanos as Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone walks back to the mound during the third inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos can’t get a handle on a ball hit by the Dodgers’ David Peralta during the third inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts hits an RBI single during the third inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ David Peralta steals second base as Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott can’t hold on to the ball during the fourth inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone, left, talks with catcher Will Smith on the mound during his major-league debut against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone sits in the dugout before making his major-league debut against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas watches the flight of his two-run home run off of Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola during the fourth inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Philadelphia Phillies Dalton Guthrie could not get to this two-run home run hit by the Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas during the fourth inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas, front, celebrates his two-run home run with teammate James Outman during the fourth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers relief pitcher Victor Gonzalez throws to the plate during the fifth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Dodgers second baseman Miguel Vargas forces out the Philadelphia Phillies’ Brandon Marsh and throws on to first base to complete a double play during the fifth inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos can’t get to a ball hit for a triple by the Dodgers’ Chris Taylor during the seventh inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Chris Taylor runs to third base after hitting a triple during the seventh inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Chris Taylor gestures to the dugout after hitting a triple during the seventh inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman drives in a run with a sacrifice fly during the seventh inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Austin Barnes hits a two-run single to give his team a 6-5 lead during the eighth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas, left, is greeted by teammate David Peralta after scoring during the eighth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas is tagged out by Philadelphia Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs while trying to score during the eighth inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodger fans are on their feet as Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas throws out the Philadelphia Phillies’ Trea Turner at first base during the ninth inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol, right, congratulates shortstop Miguel Rojas after he made a great defensive play to throw out the Philadelphia Phillies’ Trea Turner at first base during the ninth inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper slides home safely as Dodgers catcher Will Smith waits on a late throw during the ninth inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper, right, scores on a single by Bryson Stott as Dodgers catcher Will Smith takes a late throw during the ninth inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Chris Taylor steals second base as Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott waits on a late throw during the ninth inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodger fans were on their feet during the ninth inning of the team’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won, 10-6, on a walk-off grand slam by Max Muncy. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy connects for a walk-off grand slam off of Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel to give them a 10-6 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy hits a walk-off grand slam off of Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher to give his team a 10-6 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy hits a walk-off grand slam off of Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher to give his team a 10-6 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy watches the flight of his walk-off grand slam off of Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel to give them a 10-6 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy watches the flight of his walk-off grand slam off of Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel, left, during the ninth inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, right, heads to first after hitting a walk-off grand slam as Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel, left, walks off the field during the ninth inning on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy circles the bases after hitting a walk-off grand slam to give them a 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy celebrates with third base coach Dino Ebel as he runs the bases after hitting a walk-off grand slam to give them a 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy celebrates as he heads for home plate after hitting a walk-off grand slam to give them a 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy celebrates as he heads for home plate after hitting a walk-off grand slam to give them a 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, left, trots toward home plate as teammates wait to mob him after he hit a walk-off grand slam during the ninth inning of their 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy celebrates as he heads for home plate after hitting a walk-off grand slam to give them a 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy celebrates as he heads for home plate after hitting a walk-off grand slam to give them a 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, right, is mobbed by teammates at home plate after he hit a walk-off grand slam during the ninth inning of their 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy celebrates as he heads for home plate after hitting a walk-off grand slam to give them a 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, center, is mobbed at home plate by his teammates after he hit a walk-off grand slam during the ninth inning of their 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, right, is mobbed at home plate by his teammates after he hit a walk-off grand slam to give them a 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, right, is mobbed by teammates at home plate after he hit a walk-off grand slam during the ninth inning of their 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, center, celebrates with teammates after he hit a walk-off grand slam during the ninth inning of their 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, right, waits for water to be dumped on him by teammates David Peralta, left, and James Outman after he hit a walk-off grand slam during the ninth inning of their 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy has water dumped on him by teammates David Peralta, left, and James Outman after he hit a walk-off grand slam during the ninth inning of their 10-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers could do no wrong on this homestand.
Down five runs in the third inning, they came back to take the lead in the eighth inning and again in the ninth, finally winning on a walk-off grand slam by Max Muncy to beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 10-6, on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s a lot to unpack today. A lot of good stuff,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in the wake of the turbulent final two innings.
The homestand was filled with too much good stuff.
The comeback extended the Dodgers’ winning streak to six games, three each over the St. Louis Cardinals and Phillies on this homestand. The Dodgers outscored those two teams 50-17 and have won nine of their past 11 games.
The winning streak is their longest since last year’s 111-win team won 12 in a row in late July and early August.
“We’re back to being healthy,” said infielder Miguel Rojas, one of three position players (with Will Smith and Muncy) who returned to the active roster during this homestand. “As soon as we got the guys back from paternity leave, we got Will back – we got our lineup back. You can rest guys. You can use opportunities to (play) other guys, matchups. I think if we’re healthy and out there on the field, that’s the kind of team we can be.”
The 24-year-old Stone emerged with his potential still intact but otherwise took his lumps, allowing five runs on eight hits in four innings against the Phillies.
“Gavin wasn’t his sharpest, but he kept going out there trying to compete and give us what he could,” Roberts said.
If the Dodgers’ offense eventually made up for Stone’s struggles, the defense behind Stone did him few favors.
Trea Turner’s bloop dropped in shallow right field for a one-out double in the first inning. After walking Bryce Harper, Stone got Castellanos to bounce a ready-made double-play grounder to Muncy at third base. But it bounced out of Muncy’s glove for an error, loading the bases with one out instead of ending a scoreless first inning. Bryson Stott drove the unearned run in with a sacrifice fly.
Bigger trouble awaited Stone in the third inning. The Phillies batted around, scoring four times on six hits.
Two of those hits never left the infield. With two runs already in and two outs, Brandon Marsh bounced a ground ball that shortstop Chris Taylor fielded up the middle. Instead of going to second for a forceout, Taylor threw to first base. Marsh beat it out for a single and the inning continued.
Sosa drove in another run with a single and Garrett Stubbs dropped an uncontested bunt single down the third base line to drive in another run before Stone could escape.
The Dodgers’ bullpen followed Stone with four scoreless innings, holding the line while the Dodgers came back from a 5-0 deficit.
Mookie Betts drove in one run with an RBI single in the third. James Outman doubled and scored on Miguel Vargas’ two-run home run in the fourth.
The Dodgers made it a one-run game in the seventh when Castellanos turned Taylor’s slicing drive into a triple and Freddie Freeman drove him in with a sacrifice fly.
In the eighth, a single by Rojas and another double by Outman put the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position with one out. With the infield in, Vargas bounced a grounder to Turner who threw Rojas out at home.
With Trayce Thompson ill and not even at the stadium, Roberts’ only right-handed pinch-hit option to replace the left-handed David Peralta was the .085-hitting Austin Barnes. Barnes hit a sinking line drive at 89.4 mph off the bat just to Sosa’s left. Sosa stabbed at the ball but came up empty.
The Dodgers were one out away from closing out the win, but Bryce Harper reached base for the fifth time in the game on a two-out single off Brusdar Graterol. Graterol then walked Castellanos and gave up a game-tying RBI single to Stott.
But the final act was a familiar one for the Dodgers.
Craig Kimbrel (now with the Phillies) came in for the bottom of the ninth and gave up a leadoff single to Taylor, intentionally walked Freeman after Taylor stole second then walked Smith to load the bases. Muncy jumped on the first pitch he saw from Kimbrel, a fastball over the outer half of the plate, and lined it into the right field seats for his MLB-leading 12th home run of the season.
“It’s just understanding the situation,” Muncy said. “With a guy on third, one out, so get something up in the zone, get it in play, hopefully past the infield. That’s really all it was. Try and hit something hard and not wait around. There’s no point in seeing a pitch in that situation.
Bill Plunkett graduated from Michigan State with a bachelor's degree in journalism. He has worked for daily newspapers as a sportswriter since 1983, in Southern California since 1987 and at the Orange County Register since 1999.
