MLB roundup: Phillies top Cubs to clinch first-round bye, Dodgers edge Padres

Brandon Marsh (26) delivered a three-run double, while Nick Castellanos (32) and Bryson Stott (26) each recorded three hits, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 9-6 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

With this win, along with the Milwaukee Brewers' defeat to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia (94-65) secured a first-round bye in the National League playoffs. Castellanos, Trea Turner, and Kody Clemens also contributed by hitting home runs for the Phillies.

The Phillies are currently a half-game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (94-64) in the competition for the top seed in the National League, following the Dodgers' 4-3 win against the San Diego Padres later that day.

Philadelphia concluded its home schedule with an impressive major league-best record of 54-27, despite notable performances from Chicago's Isaac Paredes and Nico Hoerner. Paredes achieved a 4-for-5 batting performance for the Cubs (81-78), while Hoerner hit two home runs, marking his sixth and seventh of the season.

In another matchup, the Dodgers triumphed over the Padres 4-3. Shohei Ohtani contributed two runs, including a crucial go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning, bringing Los Angeles closer to clinching another National League West title.

Teoscar Hernandez and Gavin Lux each added a run batted in, allowing the Dodgers to extend their lead over the Padres to three games and reducing their magic number for an 11th division title in 12 seasons to two. A victory over the Padres on Thursday would secure the division for the Dodgers.

Alex Vesia (5-4) earned the win after pitching one inning, while Michael Kopech secured his 15th save in the ninth. Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a home run for the Padres, and Jeremiah Estrada (6-3) allowed one run in two-thirds of an inning.

Tigers 7, Rays 1
Spencer Torkelson hit a home run and contributed three runs batted in, propelling the surging Detroit Tigers closer to securing a wild-card spot in the American League with a victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.

Parker Meadows recorded three hits, including a solo home run, as Detroit achieved its eighth win in nine games. Riley Greene and Dillon Dingler each contributed two hits and one RBI. Detroit's starting pitcher, Keider Montero, allowed one run and four hits over 2 2/3 innings.

Prior to Wednesday's game, Tampa Bay had limited opponents to three runs or fewer in eight consecutive contests. Zack Littell surrendered three runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Blue Jays 6, Red Sox 1
Jonatan Clase achieved three hits, including his inaugural major league home run, as the Toronto Blue Jays triumphed over the visiting Boston Red Sox.

Alejandro Kirk also contributed three hits and three RBIs for the Blue Jays, who snapped a five-game losing streak and avoided a three-game sweep. The Red Sox's four-game winning streak came to an end, diminishing their slim playoff aspirations.

Toronto's right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman (14-11) permitted one run, four hits, and three walks while striking out three over six innings. Boston's right-hander Richard Fitts (0-1) allowed four runs, six hits, and two walks, recording two strikeouts in five innings.