In a matchup between the two teams atop the division, Bryce Harper’s game-winning two-run homeball in the sixth inning helped the Philadelphia Phillies overcome the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1. Trea Turner went 3 for 5 and Nick Castellanos provided a solo home run, which helped the Phillies advance in their pursuit of the NL East crown while impeding the Brewers’ hopes of winning the NL Central.
The Brewers’ magic number was reduced to one after the Chicago Cubs were defeated 4-3 by the Oakland Athletics. The Phillies’ magic number to win the NL East is now down to four, and their number to guarantee a postseason berth is down to one. As both clubs fight for postseason spots, the Phillies (91-60) have the tiebreaker advantage over the Brewers (87-64) thanks to their victory.
Without a doubt, we needed to win here, Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “We’ll try to win the series tomorrow, but in the end, it will be crucial to just defeat these guys in the tiebreaker.”
Wheeler (16-6) did not walk a batter and gave up just four hits and one run in seven innings pitched. Wheeler has pitched at least six innings and allowed no more than two runs in his previous nine starts, with an ERA of 2.56, at this point. Wheeler stated, “I just try to go six or seven every time, at least that.” “It would be great if I could travel farther. It keeps our bullpen together. We need those innings for the remainder of the season because they add up.
- With 16 victories, Wheeler is
second in the National League behind Chris Sale of Atlanta, who is his primary opponent for the Cy Young Award. “Man, he’s the Cy Young,” Harper remarked. “I made it known publicly. At this point, I don’t believe there is a greater baseball player than him. Nor, I believe, is anyone in the National League.
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