Wheeler leads Phillies into playoffs with 7-3 win over Rays

The Philadelphia Phillies secured the National League's last wild-card berth with a 7-3 home victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 27. The result ended a four-game losing streak and confirmed a fifth successive postseason appearance. According to Associated Press reporting, Philadelphia will open a best-of-three series against the Braves in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVDF2jIJktA

The Phillies finished 88-74 after taking their qualification bid to the final game of the regular season. They had first been able to clinch on Wednesday, but successive defeats allowed Arizona to close the gap. Their five-year playoff run now matches the franchise record established from 2007 through 2011, the AP reported, although this season's route was through a wild card rather than a division title.

Zack Wheeler supplied the pitching performance Philadelphia needed, limiting Tampa Bay to one run and five hits across six innings. Field Level Media reported that he struck out five, issued no walks and finished the season with a 14-5 record. Bryson Stott supported him with three hits in three at-bats, while Kyle Schwarber drove in two runs.

Philadelphia built an early advantage through timely doubles. Stott drove in Schwarber in the first inning, then J.T. Realmuto ended an 0-for-34 spell with an RBI double in the second. Schwarber added a two-run double during that inning as the Phillies moved 4-0 ahead, giving Wheeler room to work before Tampa Bay got on the scoreboard.

Jonny DeLuca homered twice for the Rays, but Philadelphia's own power helped protect the lead. Bryce Harper and Edmundo Sosa both went deep, and the home side reached 7-1 before Tampa Bay scored twice in the seventh. Jhoan Duran handled the ninth inning without allowing a runner, completing the win, according to Field Level Media.

Tampa Bay finished 98-64 and already had a postseason bye as the American League East champion. The Rays will next face the winner of the Yankees-Red Sox series, beginning Saturday, the AP reported. Philadelphia, meanwhile, heads straight into its first-round meeting with Atlanta after finally securing the place that remained unsettled through its final week.