Phillies Home Crowd Erupts After First-Inning HR By Trea Turner Off Merrill Kelly

Prior to Game 2 of the National League Championship Series Arizona starting pitcher Merrill Kelly offered a challenge to Phillies fans.

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday Kelly cast doubt that Citizens Bank Park would be the loudest ballpark he’s ever played in.

“… And then going into the WBC game, I think that—I haven’t obviously heard this place on the field, but I’d be very surprised if it trumped that Venezuela game down in Miami,” said Kelly.

Kelly didn't have to wait long to get an earful, as Phillies star shortstop Trea Turner answered the call in the bottom of the first inning.

Turner crushed a 92-mph fastball over the left field wall and sent the crowd at Citizens Bank Park into a frenzy, staking Philadelphia to an early 1-0 lead.

Trea Turner gave Merrill Kelly a warm Philly welcome to the mound at Citizens Bank Park tonight 💪😤

(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/kYjace2F4r

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 18, 2023

Coincidentally, the WBC home run that Kelly was referring to was also hit by Turner—a grand slam in the eighth inning of the quarterfinals that gave Team USA the lead.

Thanks to Turner's early homer on Tuesday, Kelly now has a direct point of comparison between the two.

Turner is now batting .517 with three home runs, four RBIs and four stolen bases so far in the 2023 playoffs.

The Phillies lead the best-of-seven NLCS 1-0 after beating the Arizona 5-3 in Game 1 on Monday night.