Segura shines and the Phillies beat the Padres to go up 2-1 in the SCLN

PHILADELPHIA — Jean Segura couldn’t control a soft throw to second on a play he said he has made “3,000 times” during his baseball career.

And in the same inning, he was caught off guard with a shot to first.

The Dominican heard some boos, but he is aware that this is normal in Philadelphia. He’s pulled himself together, he said, because he’s played in more intimidating environments.

“That’s the pressure we handle in the Dominican Republic. Even in winter baseball, there are people in the stands who, when they put you out, yell at you that they’re going to kill you,” he said. “They tell you they’re going to do something bad to you. That’s how it’s played over there.”

So Segura simply had to put the mistake and neglect behind her – without threats of violence. He even enjoyed the chaos, with a Gold Glove-worthy catch to prevent a hit, and provided a key ball, which moved Philadelphia closer to the World Series.

Kyle Schwarber opened the game with one more home run, Segura made up for his run-in error with a go-ahead single, and the Phillies beat the San Diego Padres 4-2 on Friday for a 2-1 lead in the National League Championship Series

Game 4 will take place this Saturday, also at Citizens Bank Park.

Philadelphia returned home, again to a packed house, for its first Championship Series game in this city since 2010. Now, it’s two wins away from reaching its first World Series since 2008.

The Phillies can take heart in the fact that they have the lead against San Diego even without playing their best baseball. Except for Schwarber’s homer, the hitting was rather low-key.

Segura and Rhys Hoskins made costly mistakes that tightened the scoreboard more than necessary.

“I made a lot of mistakes, but this is part of baseball,” said Segura, who is making his first playoff appearance after 11 years in the majors. “You have to move on. I did it. These things happen.”

Ranger Suarez survived poor fielding to pocket the win. The Venezuelan starter did not give away walks and only allowed two hits and one earned run in 68 pitches, which was enough for him to resolve five innings.

Zach Eflin and the Venezuelan José Alvarado worked on two separate episodes in white. Seranthony Domínguez had a six-out save and the Phillies now head into Game 4, which they would face with relievers from the start.

After Josh Bell led off the ninth with a single, Jurickson Profar struck out on a half-swing on a full count, angering him.

Profar, who had already dropped the bat and was headed to first thinking he had the walk, lashed out at third base umpire Todd Tichernor for pointing out that the bat had crossed home plate.

Throwing away the helmet, Profar kicked the dirt. He was ejected by home plate umpire Ted Barrett.

“Go check it out, maybe the bat didn’t cross,” Padres manager Bob Melvin said. “It’s a very tight, difficult decision, but maybe not. And it was a key moment.”

For the Padres, the Dominicans Juan Soto 3-1 with a run scored, Manny Machado 4-0.

For the Phillies, Jean Segura 3-1 with two RBIs.