Bohm's bat carries Phillies to postseason clincher

Alec Bohm’s bat carried the night, driving in four runs on four hits, including a three-run homer, as the Phillies rolled past the New York Mets, 12-2, on Friday to clinch their third consecutive playoff berth. The win was a statement, with Bohm’s big swing fueling a six-run fourth inning that buried the Mets early at Citi Field.

 

Nick Castellanos chipped in three hits and two RBIs, while J.T. Realmuto added a two-run homer to pad the lead. The Phillies (92-62) extended their NL East lead to seven games over the Mets (85-69), with just eight left to play.

 

Already guaranteed at least a wild card spot, the Phillies are now on the brink of their first division title since 2011. With another win this weekend, they could seal the NL East crown and officially dethrone the Mets, who came into the series as their closest pursuers.

 

Philadelphia kept things subdued in the clubhouse postgame, with manager Rob Thomson leading a champagne toast. The celebration, however, was more about business than revelry, with a bigger party on hold for now.

 

The win, combined with Atlanta’s 4-3 loss in Miami, eliminated the Braves from NL East contention, ending their six-year reign atop the division.

 

The Mets, who had been surging with 16 wins in their last 20 games, now find themselves a game behind Arizona for the second NL wild card and just two games ahead of Atlanta for the last playoff spot.

 

Bohm’s fourth-inning blast off reliever Adam Ottavino punctuated a rally that saw the Phillies steal four bases and score six times. Johan Rojas’ two-run double off starter David Peterson (9-3) helped set the tone. Peterson, who lasted just 3 2/3 innings, was clearly frustrated by his early exit.

 

Cristopher Sánchez (11-9) labored through five innings, walking a career-high five batters, but allowed just one run on four hits. Despite the shaky control, he managed to keep the Mets in check long enough for the offense to take over.

 

On the other side, Jose Iglesias continued his hot streak for New York, belting a leadoff home run and extending his hitting streak to 14 games. Mets slugger J.D. Martinez, though, remains mired in a slump, going 0-for-3 with a walk and extending his hitless streak to 31 at-bats, the longest of his career.

 

With the division title in sight, the Phillies are just one win away from wrapping up the NL East and turning a subdued champagne toast into a full-fledged celebration.