Bryce Harper hit a crucial two-run homer in the sixth inning to support Zack Wheeler’s strong pitching, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night in a clash of division leaders.
Nick Castellanos contributed a solo home run, and Trea Turner went 3 for 5, helping the Phillies move closer to clinching the NL East title while pushing back the Brewers’ chances of winning the NL Central.
With the Chicago Cubs losing 4-3 to the Oakland Athletics, the Brewers’ magic number fell to one. The Phillies reduced their magic number for winning the NL East to four, and their number to secure a postseason spot is now down to one.
This win gave the Phillies (91-60) the tiebreaker advantage over the Brewers (87-64), as both teams compete for playoff positions.
“We needed a win here for sure,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson. “We’ll try to win the series tomorrow, but just getting the tiebreaker over these guys is going to be huge down the stretch.”
Wheeler (16-6) allowed only four hits and one run in seven innings, striking out six and not walking any batters. With his ERA now at 2.56, Wheeler has gone at least six innings and given up no more than two runs in his last nine starts.
“I just try to go six or seven every time, at least that,” Wheeler said. “If I can go more, that’s awesome. It helps save our bullpen. Those innings add up over the season, and we need them for this stretch.”
Wheeler’s 16 wins put him second in the NL, behind Atlanta’s Chris Sale, who is his main rival for the Cy Young Award.
“He’s the Cy Young, man,” Harper said. “I said it out there. I don’t think anyone in baseball is better than him right now. I don’t think anyone in the National League is, either.”
