PHILADELPHIA — Bryce Harper, one of the few regular starters in the lineup, hit a solo homer for the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-6 on Wednesday, a days after securing the first wild-card berth in the National League.
The goal of the Phillies is to survive the post-celebration game without incident.
Manager Rob Thomson said yes, it would be great if the Phillies, who currently have 89 wins, can get to 90 wins in the last four games. A night after Philadelphia clinched a postseason berth, and knowing it will open its first playoff game Tuesday at home, Thomson said the goal is just to make the playoffs in one piece.
Wins and losses don’t necessarily matter.
“Not now, not at all,” Thomson admitted before the game. “I mean, it’s nice to get to 90 wins. But players risk reaching 90 wins, I won’t do that.
After a night of celebration in which outfielder Brandon Marsh rode a mechanical bull, designated hitter Kyle Schwarber; third baseman, Alec Bohm; catcher JT Realmuto; and right fielder Nick Castellanos had an off night.
Harper played first base, had three hits and hit his 21st home run of the year off reliever José Hernández (1-3) to take a 7-6 lead.
For the Pirates, the Dominicans Liover Peguero 4-0; Andy Rodríguez 3-0.
For the Phillies, Panamanian Edmundo Sosa was 2 for 4, with a run scored and an RBI. Dominicans Rodolfo Castro 0-4, with an RBI; Cristian Pache 3-1, with one RBI; and Johan Rojas 3-0, with one scored.
