Bryce Harper’s tiebreaking two-run homer in the sixth inning propelled the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night, a game that featured a showdown between division leaders.
In a pivotal moment, Harper’s 29th homer of the season came off a 1-1 pitch from Frankie Montas, clearing the left-center field wall and scoring Kyle Schwarber, who had led off the inning with an infield single. The blast provided a crucial lead for the Phillies, who also benefited from a solid performance by Zack Wheeler.
Wheeler (16-6) was outstanding on the mound, allowing just four hits and one run over seven innings. He struck out six and did not issue a walk, lowering his ERA to 2.56. Wheeler’s recent form has been exceptional, with nine consecutive starts of at least six innings and no more than two runs allowed.
Nick Castellanos contributed with a solo homer, his 21st of the season, launching a 430-foot shot over the left-center wall in the second inning. Trea Turner added to the Phillies' offensive surge with a 3-for-5 night, including a two-out RBI single in the ninth inning.
The Brewers' magic number for clinching the NL Central fell to one following the Chicago Cubs’ 4-3 defeat to the Oakland Athletics. The Phillies reduced their magic number for the NL East to four, though their number to secure a postseason berth is just one. Milwaukee's Montas (7-11) struck out 10 in 5 2/3 innings but surrendered three runs on six hits and two walks.
Philadelphia extended their lead to 4-1 in the seventh when Schwarber’s hit ricocheted off pitcher Aaron Ashby’s leg and into shallow right field, driving in Edmundo Sosa, who had doubled earlier.
The series concludes on Wednesday night with RHP Aaron Nola (12-8, 3.62 ERA) taking the mound for the Phillies against RHP Freddy Peralta (11-8, 3.75 ERA) for the Brewers.
Roster Moves
The Phillies reinstated Sosa from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Buddy Kennedy to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Additionally, catcher Aramis Garcia was outrighted to Lehigh Valley after clearing waivers. Garcia had been designated for assignment on Sunday.
Manager Rob Thomson noted that outfielder Austin Hays ran at full intensity on Tuesday for the first time since his kidney infection diagnosis on September 5. Thomson confirmed that the infection has resolved.
