Jake Bauers delivered a decisive RBI single in the ninth inning Wednesday night, lifting the Milwaukee Brewers to a 2-1 win over the Phillies and delaying Philadelphia’s chance to clinch a playoff berth. The Brewers had already secured the NL Central title earlier in the night when the Cubs lost.
Bauers’ single came off Phillies closer Carlos Estévez (4-5), scoring Jackson Chourio, who led off the ninth with a triple. Milwaukee closer Devin Williams (1-0) then shut down the Phillies in the bottom of the ninth, striking out Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, and Brandon Marsh in order.
Phillies starter Aaron Nola, second in the NL in innings pitched, was sharp over seven frames. He allowed just one run on three hits, striking out nine and walking one. It was a solid rebound for Nola, who had surrendered 10 earned runs over his previous two starts.
Despite Nola’s effort, the Phillies’ offense sputtered, striking out 16 times for the second consecutive night. Bohm briefly gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the second inning with his first home run since August 15.
Rhys Hoskins, a familiar face in Philadelphia, tied the game for Milwaukee with his 25th homer in the fifth inning. The former Phillie also doubled, continuing his strong play in a pivotal moment for the Brewers. Freddy Peralta handed the ball to Joe Ross in the sixth, but Ross was able to escape trouble after allowing a single and a walk, with lefty Jared Koenig getting Stott to ground out on the first pitch to end the threat.
In the ninth, Chourio’s leadoff triple put immediate pressure on Estévez. After an intentional walk to William Contreras and a strikeout of Garrett Mitchell, Estévez walked Willy Adames to load the bases before Bauers delivered the game-winning hit.
The Phillies, whose magic number to clinch a playoff spot remains at one, have seen their chances to win their first NL East title in 13 years delayed. They entered the game riding a 34-game win streak when their starter pitched at least seven innings, the longest in franchise history and second-longest in MLB history. That streak came to an end.
Philadelphia opens a crucial four-game series in New York on Thursday against the Mets, who are fighting for a Wild Card spot. Taijuan Walker (3-6, 6.29 ERA) will take the mound for the Phillies, facing Mets right-hander Luis Severino (10-6, 3.77 ERA). The Mets currently hold a two-game lead over the Braves for the final NL Wild Card berth.
The Phillies magic number to clinch the division is four.
