Phillies clinch NL East after extra-inning win

In a tight game Monday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Philadelphia Phillies prevailed 6-5 in extra innings. Sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper helped fuel the victory, each hitting a home run.

The win, Philadelphia’s 90th of the season, clinched the National League East title. With 11 games left, the New York Mets are now officially out of reach.

It marks the Phillies’ second straight division crown and their first back-to-back titles since a five-year run from 2007 to 2011, a stretch that included a World Series appearance against the New York Yankees in 2009.

Of their 90 wins this year, the Phillies have dominated at Citizens Bank Park. At home, they are 51-24, and on the road they are just above .500 at 39-37.

Philadelphia has been powered all season by Schwarber and a deep pitching staff. Schwarber has hit 53 home runs with 128 RBIs and 10 stolen bases, building a 4.7 WAR season that has him in the mix with Shohei Ohtani for NL MVP.

On the mound, the Phillies feature four starters with at least 10 wins and 16 quality starts: Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, Jesus Luzardo and the injured Zack Wheeler. As a group, they rank seventh in MLB in team ERA (3.81), second in strikeouts and second in fewest walks issued.

Having won eight of their last 10, the Phillies hope to carry their momentum into October. With the division secured, they are guaranteed home-field advantage in the opening round of the postseason.