Phillies' Rob Thomson Explains Controversial Decision to Bunt at End of Loss to Dodgers

Fans were displeased with the Phillies' decision to have Bryson Stott bunt in the ninth inning.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson explained the decision to have Bryson Stott bunt in the ninth inning vs. the Dodgers. / Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

The Phillies' comeback against the Dodgers in Game 2 of the National League Division Series fell short on Monday.

The Dodgers took a 4-0 lead in the seventh inning, but the Phillies fought back with a run in the eighth inning. After holding the Dodgers without a run over the final two innings, the Phillies added two more runs early in the ninth inning.

The Phillies were trailing by just one run when Bryson Stott came up to the plate. With no outs and Nick Castellanos on second base, Philadelphia was in good position to tie up, if not win the game with a walk-off. Phillies manager Rob Thomson decided to have Stott bunt, and though he got the ball down, the Dodgers were able to get Castellanos out at third. The Dodgers got the final two outs of the game on the next three plate appearances, and took a 4-3 win.

Thomson explained the unpopular choice to have Stott bunt after the game, saying, “Left on left, we’re trying to tie the score. I liked where our bullpen was at, compared to theirs."

Rob Thomson speaks on some of the decision-making down the stretch in tonight's Game 2 and the offensive struggles from some of the Phillies' big bats.#NLDS | #Postseason pic.twitter.com/K2E9E3rUp3

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 7, 2025

"Mookie did a great job of disguising the wheel play," Thomson added. "We teach our guys if you see wheel, just pull back and slash because you're getting all kinds of room in the middle. Mookie broke so late that it was tough for [Stott] to pick it up."

The Dodgers now have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series after Philadelphia failed to win either of their first two home games. The Phillies will head to Los Angeles where they'll face elimination when they play on Wednesday.

---

More MLB on Sports Illustrated

feed