Braves clinch sixth straight NL East title
The Atlanta Braves clinched their sixth straight NL East title, beating the host Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 on Wednesday night behind Spencer Strider's major league-leading 17th win and Austin Riley's two-run homer.
Kirby Yates struck out Brandon Marsh to end the game and the players danced in a mob near the mound as Phillies fans booed them off the field.
“Congratulations Atlanta Braves 2023 NL East Champions” flashed on the scoreboard.
Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. responded to booing fans by raising both arms and signaling with his hands to bring it on.
“We've checked one box,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Atlanta (96-50) clinched in 146 games, their second-quickest clinch in the divisional era. The division title was the Braves' record 26th, two more than the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees,
Atlanta took special satisfaction in clinching on the same Citizens Bank Park field where the Phillies eliminated them last October in the NL Division Series. The Phillies won that series 3-1 — just as Atlanta won this four-game set.
The Phillies lead the NL wild-card and the teams could face each other in October. METS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 1 >> Arizona ace Zac Gallen was hit hard in a damaging loss for the visiting Diamondbacks as Pete Alonso and Mark Vientos powered New York. Just back from the minors, Joey Lucchesi (3-0) carried a shutout into the eighth inning and the fourthplace Mets improved to 5-1 against Arizona this season.
Arizona (76-71) dropped into a tie for the third National League wild-card with Cincinnati, which won 4-3 at Detroit. The Giants and Miami — both 75-71 — are close behind in a crowded race for the final NL playoff spot. CARDINALS 1, ORIOLES 0 >> Richie Palacios homered, rookie Drew Rom and four relievers combined on a three-hitter and visiting St. Louis beat Baltimore to trim the Orioles' lead in the AL East to two games over Tampa Bay. Gunnar Henderson's two-out triple off Ryan Helsley in the ninth inning gave the Orioles a chance to pull even, but Aaron Hicks popped out. NATS SIGN GM RIZZO TO MULTIYEAR EXTENSION >> The Washington Nationals announced they have signed general manager Mike Rizzo to a multiyear extension.
Rizzo spent his first five years with the Nationals painstakingly assembling a roster designed to make the club competitive enough to win a World Series. That vision became a reality in 2019 when the star-laden Nationals won the franchise's only championship.
Details were not released, but Rizzo said he plans to remain in Washington for “a long, long time.”
SCHERZER OUT REST OF REGULAR SEASON >> Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer will miss the rest of the regular season because of a strained muscle in his shoulder, the team announced Wednesday.
Rangers general manager Chris Young said it was unlikely Scherzer would be able to pitch in the postseason if Texas qualifies.
Scherzer, 39, is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star.