MLB wrap: Nationals sweep Phillies in doubleheader, clinch wild-card spot

Ameer Tyree

MLB wrap: Nationals sweep Phillies in doubleheader, clinch wild-card spot image

Washington eliminated Philadelphia from playoff contention and punched its own ticket to the postseason with a doubleheader sweep Tuesday.

The Nationals topped the Phillies 4-1 before beating them 6-5 later on in the day.

Washington wasn't great offensively in the first matchup, but Anthony Rendon brought in two of the team's four runs with two sacrifice flies.

He leads MLB in RBIs with a total of 124 in 2019.

Philadelphia was more competitive in the second game and got two home runs and four RBIs from Brad Miller.

But that wasn't enough to overcome Trea Turner and Yan Gomes, who combined for two home runs and six RBIs in the victory.

The Nationals officially locked up a wild-card spot after the Cubs fell to the Pirates 9-2. 

Studs of the Night

Ryan Braun went 2 for 3 and hit a home run in Milwaukee's 4-2 win against the Reds.

Nico Hoerner went 2 for 4 and drove in the Cubs only two runs in their loss to the Pirates.

Duds of the Night

Jorge Polanco went 0 for 5 as the Twins took down the Tigers 4-2.

Baltimore's Jonathan Villar went 1 for 6 and struck out four times in his team's 11-4 win against the Blue Jays.

Highlight

The White Sox showed some creativity here.

Ji-Man Choi hit a walk-off home run to give the Rays a 2-1, 12-inning win over the Yankees. Tampa Bay leads the Indians by 1/2-game for the second American League wild-card spot. 

What's Next?

Brewers (87-70) at Reds (73-84) 6:40 p.m. ET — The Nationals have clinched a National League wild-card spot, and Milwaukee is right behind them. The Brewers are five games ahead of Chicago and have the chance to punch their own ticket to the postseason if they continue their hot streak.

Ameer Tyree