NEW YORK (AP) — Alec Bohm had four hits and four RBIs, including a three-run homer, and the Philadelphia Phillies wrapped up their third straight playoff berth in style by blowing out the New York Mets 12-2 on Friday night.
Nick Castellanos had three hits and two RBIs, J.T. Realmuto added a two-run homer and the Phillies (92-62) extended their NL East lead to seven games over the second-place Mets (85-69) with eight to play.
Assured at least a National League wild card, the Phillies can secure their first division title since 2011 with one more win this weekend against the rival Mets at Citi Field.
Philadelphia’s victory coupled with Atlanta’s 4-3 loss in Miami eliminated the Braves from contention for the NL East crown — ending their six-year reign atop the division.
New York, which had won four in a row and 16 of 20, remained two games ahead of Atlanta for the final NL playoff spot. The Mets began the night tied with Arizona for the second of three wild cards — the Diamondbacks started a little later in Milwaukee.
Philadelphia stole five bases — four in a six-run fourth inning capped by Bohm’s homer off reliever Adam Ottavino. Johan Rojas had a two-run double off starter David Peterson (9-3), pulled after just 64 pitches and 3 2/3 innings — his shortest start of the season.
Cristopher Sánchez (11-9) overcame a shaky start and five walks in five innings for the win. Philadelphia outhit the Mets 17-4.
Jose Iglesias launched his first career leadoff homer for New York, pushing his hitting streak to 14 games.
With the division crown so close, Philadelphia planned a mellow celebration following Friday night’s game — hoping to let loose soon with a boozy clubhouse bash after locking up first place.
New York’s J.D. Martinez went 0 for 3 with a walk and is hitless in 31 at-bats.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Phillies: OF Austin Hays (kidney infection) worked out the past two days at Citi Field and will be the DH in a rehab game Saturday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He is scheduled to play the field Sunday and potentially come off the injured list Tuesday. … RHP Spencer Turnbull (right lat strain) is slated to throw two innings Sunday for Lehigh Valley and then return to the team’s training complex in Florida to continue rehabbing. Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson didn’t completely rule out the possibility of Turnbull pitching for the Phillies in the postseason. Turnbull has been on the injured list since June 27.
Mets: SS Francisco Lindor (sore back) has missed five straight games and played only one inning in the past seven. But manager Carlos Mendoza said Lindor was feeling better and planned to run and play catch before the game. If he felt good enough to progress to baseball activities, it’s possible Lindor could return to the lineup Saturday. … RHP Kodai Senga (strained left calf) will throw no more than two innings and 30-35 pitches in a rehab outing Saturday for Triple-A Syracuse. If all goes well, he could come off the 60-day injured list and be available to pitch in some role Friday at Milwaukee. “Ultimately we’ll have to make a judgment call on what’s beat for the team,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said. … C Francisco Alvarez and OF Tyrone Taylor were rested.
UP NEXT
All-Star lefty Ranger Suárez (12-7, 3.13 ERA) pitches Saturday for Philadelphia against Mets LHP Sean Manaea (11-5, 3.26), who has lasted at least 6 2/3 innings in seven consecutive outings.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
