Rookie Otto Kemp's heroic 3-hit night lifts the Phillies to a 4-3 walk-off win vs. the Cubs on June 10, 2025, snapping a brutal 1-9 slump. See how he did it.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it felt like the Phillies might never win again, they found a spark from the most unlikely of sources. Mired in a disastrous 1-9 slump that saw them tumble from the top of the NL East, Philadelphia didn't mash their way out of misery. Instead, they turned to small ball, grit, and a 25-year-old rookie from a Division II school to orchestrate a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory in 11 innings against the Chicago Cubs.
From undrafted Division II prospect to big-league hero, Otto Kemp collected three hits, including a perfect 11th-inning bunt single that set the stage for victory.
Talk about a storybook start. Otto Kemp, an undrafted prospect from Point Loma Nazarene University, was just promoted on Saturday. By Tuesday, he was the talk of the town. The rookie third baseman was a force all night, collecting his first MLB hit in the fifth and later scoring to give the Phils a 2-1 lead. But his biggest moment came in the pressure cooker of the 11th inning. With the game on the line, Kemp laid down a perfect bunt single for his third hit of the night, helping to load the bases and fuel the winning rally. It's the kind of debut you dream about.
The final frame was a microcosm of the Phillies' recent struggles and ultimate relief. After Carlos Hernández allowed a go-ahead RBI double to Pete Crow-Armstrong in the top of the inning, the familiar dread began to creep in. But this time, the Phils answered. Bryson Stott, benched amid a 2-for-24 slump, came in and dropped a crucial bunt single. Then came Kemp's own bunt hit. After a walk loaded the bases, J.T. Realmuto delivered a clutch single to tie it 3-3, setting the stage for Brandon Marsh, who laced the game-winner to send the Citizens Bank Park faithful home happy.
The good vibes extend to the mound. While ace Zack Wheeler continues to build his Cy Young case, currently ranked second in MLB.com's latest poll, the kids are showing up. Rookie right-hander Mick Abel, boasting a sparkling 0.79 ERA, gets the start in the next game against the Cubs. And for fans looking even further ahead, top prospect Andrew Painter is scheduled to make his next start at Triple-A, a game fans can watch for free on MLB.TV. The future of the Phillies' rotation looks incredibly bright.
Keeping up with all this action just got easier. MLB and NBC Sports have officially launched PHILLIES.TV for the 2025 season. This new direct-to-consumer streaming service allows fans in the Phillies' home television territory to watch all the NBC Sports Philadelphia game coverage, including pre- and post-game shows, live and on-demand. It's a huge step forward for cord-cutting fans who don't want to miss a single pitch.
One win, no matter how dramatic, doesn't erase a 10-game slide. But this wasn't just any win. It was a victory forged by fundamentals, resilience, and a rookie's incredible debut. It felt different. Now, the challenge is to build on it. With the promising Mick Abel taking the ball against the Cubs, the Phillies have a golden opportunity to turn a thrilling moment into sustained momentum and start climbing back to the top of the NL East.
