MLB roundup: Phillies edge Dodgers in 10, win NL East

J.T. Realmuto hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper each hit home runs and the visiting Philadelphia Phillies clinched the National League East title with a 6-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.

Weston Wilson also hit a home run for the Phillies, while right-hander David Robertson escaped a bases-loaded jam with one out in the 10th to earn his first save as Philadelphia improved to 14-4 since Aug. 28. Jhoan Duran (7-6) earned the win.

After he gave up a single earned run over his last four starts, Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings. In winning their second consecutive division title, the Phillies moved 5 1/2 games ahead of the Dodgers in the chase for the second-best record from an NL division winner and a bye through the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Max Muncy, Mookie Betts and Andy Pages hit home runs for the Dodgers , who lost to the Phillies for the third time in four games this season. Dodgers left-handers Anthony Banda, Jack Dreyer and Alex Vesia combined to give up four runs over 2 1/3 innings. Blake Treinen (1-5) was charged with the loss.

Blue Jays 2, Rays 1 (10 innings)

George Springer's two-strike, two-out, RBI single in the 11th inning lifted Toronto to its fifth straight victory, a decision over host Tampa Bay to open a four-game series.

After challenging for catcher's interference and failing, Toronto took its first lead when Springer ripped the next pitch, an 0-2 offering from Kevin Kelly (2-4), to left for a 2-1 lead. The Blue Jays saw their American League East lead over the second-place New York Yankees increase to five games.

Braydon Fisher (7-0) pitched out of a first-and-third, no-out jam in the bottom of the 11th by whiffing Brandon Lowe, Junior Caminero and Josh Lowe. In his major league debut, Blue Jays starter Trey Yesavage pitched five-plus innings and allowed one run and three hits. Yandy Diaz had a perfect showing at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two walks for Tampa Bay.

Astros 6, Rangers 3

Zach Cole and Jesus Sanchez came up big after an injury to Yordan Alvarez, and Houston rallied for a win over visiting Texas in the opener of a three-game series with major postseason ramifications.

Alvarez had to leave after he slipped on home plate while scoring a first-inning run, spraining his left ankle. The run, one of two that resulted from a throwing error by Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter (9-9), gave Houston a 2-0 lead. Cole launched a two-out, two-run homer off Leiter in the fifth, putting the Astros on top for good at 4-3.

The Astros ended the night three games up on the Rangers in the race for the third and final American League wild-card position. Houston is now a half-game back of the idle Seattle Mariners, who lead the AL West. Josh Jung hit a two-run homer for Texas, which has lost two straight following a six-game winning streak.

Twins 7, Yankees 0

Austin Martin doubled and drove in four runs, Simeon Woods Richardson struck out a career-high 11 over six scoreless innings, and Minnesota pulled away for a shutout win over New York in Minneapolis.

Brooks Lee went 2-for-4 with a homer, a double and two RBIs for Minnesota. Luke Keaschall also drove in a run. Woods Richardson (7-4) posted his best outing of the season. The right-hander gave up two hits while seeing his ERA drop from 4.58 to 4.31.

Jose Caballero doubled for the Yankees' only extra-base hit. Aaron Judge went 0-for-1 and drew three walks for New York, which collected only two hits and dropped five games behind the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays. New York also saw its AL wild-card lead cut to one game over the idle Boston Red Sox.

Diamondbacks 8, Giants 1

James McCann hit a two-run homer in a six-run sixth inning, Zac Gallen threw six strong innings and Arizona beat San Francisco in Phoenix to leapfrog the Giants in the National League wild-card race.

McCann homered for the second straight game and Ildemaro Vargas had a two-run single to ignite the sixth-inning rally against Matt Gage (0-1) and two other Giants relievers. Geraldo Perdomo singled, doubled, tripled, walked twice and drove in two runs for the D-backs. His triple capped the big sixth, and he doubled home the final run in the eighth. Gallen (12-14) gave up two hits and one run.

The D-backs won their fourth game in the past five and closed within 1 1/2 games of the idle New York Mets for the third NL wild-card spot. The Giants lost their third straight and dropped into a tie with the Cincinnati Reds, two games back of New York. Giants rookie starter Kai-Wei Teng kept his team in the game, giving up two hits and an unearned run in four innings.

Cubs 4, Pirates 0

Jameson Taillon threw six shutout innings to lead visiting Chicago to a win against Pittsburgh in the opener of their three-game series.

Taillon (10-6) allowed just two hits, struck out three and walked two. The right-hander was activated from the 15-day injured list last Wednesday after being sidelined with a strained groin. He also missed all of July and half of August with a calf strain.

Pete Crow-Armstrong doubled, homered and scored twice and Michael Busch also homered for the Cubs, who have won five of six. Pirates rookie right-hander Braxton Ashcraft (4-3) went four innings, allowing three runs and six hits. Bryan Reynolds singled and walked for the Pirates, who have lost nine of the past 10.

Reds 11, Cardinals 6

Tyler Stephenson drove in three runs as visiting Cincinnati snapped its three-game losing streak by defeating St. Louis.

Sal Stewart went 3-for-5 with a homer, three runs and two RBIs as the Reds moved within two games of the New York Mets for the final National League wild-card slot. Matt McLain drove in two and scored twice. Reds starter Zack Littell allowed four runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Alec Burleson drove in two runs for the Cardinals, who have lost six of seven games and are 4 1/2 games behind the Mets. Willson Contreras went 2-for-3 with an RBI before exiting with right bicep tightness. Matthew Liberatore allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits in six innings.

Braves 11, Nationals 3

Matt Olson had four hits including a three-run homer, Spencer Strider allowed one run over seven innings and visiting Atlanta beat Washington.

Drake Baldwin added a homer and two singles, driving in four runs for Atlanta, which had 16 hits in winning its second straight game. Ronald Acuna Jr. also homered. Olson added two doubles and a single and had four RBIs. Strider (6-13) allowed one run on four hits.

Daylen Lile had two hits including a home run for Washington and has reached base in 15 consecutive games. Mitchell Parker (8-16) gave up six runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings.

Orioles 4, White Sox 1

Colton Cowser hit a three-run homer and Kyle Bradish pitched five strong innings for his first win in 15 months as visiting Baltimore defeated Chicago.

Bradish (1-1) allowed one run and fanned nine in his fourth start of the season. He underwent Tommy John surgery soon after earning his last victory on June 8, 2024. Dietrich Enns threw three perfect innings for his second save.

The Orioles snapped a three-game losing streak while the White Sox dropped their fourth straight. Chicago reliever Steven Wilson (2-2) got one out and took the loss when Cowser went deep off Tyler Alexander.

--Field Level Media