PHILADELPHIA -- It's hard to blame Phillies fans if they shuddered a bit when Ranger Suárez got the hook after throwing just 68 pitches in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.

Sixty-eight.

That's the same number of pitches Aaron Nola had thrown through 5 1/3 innings on Opening Day in 2018 in Atlanta before Gabe Kapler -- making his managerial debut -- infamously went to the bullpen with the Phillies leading by five in the sixth inning. The Braves scored eight unanswered runs to win the game.

But manager Rob Thomson's decision against the Padres turned out far better for the Phillies.

A trio of Philadelphia relievers slammed the door behind Suárez with four scoreless innings in a pivotal 4-2 win to give the Phillies a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven series. The southpaw allowed two runs (one earned), though both scored as a result of a defensive miscue.

Despite the misplays, Suárez was efficient and effective. He held the Padres to two hits, neither of which were particularly well-struck. He gave up an infield single to second baseman Jake Cronenworth that left the bat at just 35.7 mph in the second inning. Designated hitter Brandon Drury rolled an 80.9 mph grounder through the shift in the fourth for San Diego’s only other knock off Suárez.

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Still, Thomson opted to bring in right-handed reliever Zach Eflin to start the sixth inning with Padres superstar Manny Machado set to lead off and the Phillies clinging to a 3-2 lead.

"He hadn't pitched in [10] days, he's close to 70 pitches," Thomson said. "Plus, we're coming through a right-handed pocket there [in San Diego's lineup] the third time through, starting at Machado. So I just thought it was the right time to go to a right-hander."

While the move paid off in the short term, the decision could still have a lasting impact on the series, especially with Philly believing it doesn't need much relief help for Games 5 and 6. For now, with the Phillies set to lean heavily on the 'pen for tonight's game after going with Suárez on Friday, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola are lined up on full rest for Sunday and Monday, respectively.

On the eve of Bailey Falter making his first appearance of the postseason as the starter in what will essentially become a bullpen game, Thomson asked for 12 outs from his top three relievers: Eflin (one inning), José Alvarado (one-plus inning) and Seranthony Domínguez (two innings).

"We got to the point in the game where we had the lead late and we had to go for it," Thomson said.

The plan worked, but it almost certainly will take Domínguez -- whose 34 pitches were his second most in any outing this season -- out of the equation for Game 4. Thomson said they'll see how Domínguez feels when he gets to the ballpark Saturday, while adding that both Alvarado (27 pitches) and Eflin (17 pitches) will be available.

But how will the Phillies bridge the gap from Falter to those late-inning options?

Falter hasn't pitched since tossing one inning (11 pitches) in the Phillies' regular-season finale on Oct. 5 in Houston. He hasn't pitched multiple innings since Sept. 30, but Thomson is hoping Falter can get through three innings.

"There's always concern about rust," Thomson said. "He hasn't been able to see actual hitters, but we've had a lot of bullpens -- heavy bullpens -- where guys have been standing in, so at least he can get a visual."

If Falter runs into early trouble, the Phils could turn to Noah Syndergaard, who pitched three innings in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Braves last Saturday. Falter got the nod over Syndergaard this time around due to the Padres having more left-handed weapons, particularly Juan Soto and Cronenworth, at the top of the lineup.

"I'm excited for Bailey. He was huge for us down the stretch," said catcher J.T. Realmuto. "I think he's going to be ready for the challenge. He's a fresh arm because he hasn't pitched in a while.”

Along with Eflin and Alvarado, the Phillies could turn to veteran right-hander David Robertson in a potential high-leverage spot. He earned 20 saves between the Cubs and Phillies during the regular season. Left-hander Brad Hand could get the call if Soto and/or Cronenworth are looming. Righties Andrew Bellatti and Connor Brogdon are middle-inning options.

With Friday marking what could be the first of five games in five days, Thomson knows he won’t be able to deploy the all-in approach he used in Game 3 every night.

“As we get deeper into the five days,” Thomson said, “we're going to have to be careful.”

On the positive side, Suárez’s abbreviated start puts him in a better position to start Game 7 (if necessary) at Petco Park on Tuesday on short rest. Of course, the Phillies could avoid that -- and avoid playing five games in five days -- by winning two of the next three.

“Let’s hope we don’t get there," Suárez said of a possible Game 7. "But I’ll be ready for it, whatever the team needs from me.”