By admin 
Phillies on the Verge of NL East Title
Alec Bohm powered the Philadelphia Phillies to a commanding 12-2 victory over the New York Mets on Friday night, celebrating their third straight playoff appearance. Bohm’s four-hit, four-RBI performance, highlighted by a three-run homer, was complemented by Nick Castellanos’ three hits and two RBIs, and a two-run blast from J.T. Realmuto.
With this win, the Phillies (92-62) extended their NL East lead to seven games over the Mets (85-69), with just eight games remaining. “I thought it was just a great night,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson. The Phillies have already secured at least a wild card spot, but with one more victory against the Mets this weekend at Citi Field, they can clinch their first division title since 2011.
Winning pitcher Cristopher Sánchez reflected on the momentous occasion, saying through a translator, “We work really hard all season, six months for this… Something really special for us.” Despite the win, the Phillies kept the clubhouse celebration subdued, sharing a champagne toast led by Thomson, but Bohm hinted at a more “rowdy” celebration once the division is locked up.
The victory also had a ripple effect, as Atlanta’s 4-3 loss to the Miami Marlins officially knocked the Braves out of the NL East title race, ending their six-year reign atop the division.
For the Mets, who entered the game on a hot streak, having won four straight and 16 of their last 20 games, the loss dropped them a game behind Arizona for the second NL wild card spot, though they still hold a two-game edge over Atlanta for the final playoff position.