Phillies lose to Brewers, fall to 2 games ahead of Diamondbacks for NL Wild Card spot

The Milwaukee Brewers’ offense broke through with three runs in the eighth inning to beat the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, 5-1, keeping the Arizona Diamondbacks’ postseason hopes alive through at least Friday night.

With the loss, and combined with a Diamondbacks 12-8 win over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, the Phillies’ (87-72) lead on the Diamondbacks (85-74) for the third and final National League Wild Card spot dropped down to two games. The Phillies’ magic number remains at two.

With the Phillies starting their three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday at 3:40 p.m. MST, Thursday’s loss guarantees the D-backs will still be in playoff contention when their three-game series against the San Diego Padres begins on Friday. First pitch for D-backs-Padres is at 6:40 p.m. MST.

Jake Bauers scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning that gave the Brewers the lead, while Jackson Chourio hit a home run in the ninth in the win. Phillies second baseman Luis Arraez left the game in the sixth inning with a leg injury following an awkward dive attempt into first base. Arraez entered the game leading the National League with a .310 batting average as he is in contention for the league’s batting title. D-backs catcher Gabriel Moreno is second with a .308 average.

The Chicago Cubs (88-71) clinched a playoff spot on Thursday with a 2-1 win over the Miami Marlins. The San Diego Padres (88-70), who currently own the top National League Wild Card spot, wrap up a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. MST.

Related

Diamondbacks hang 6 runs on Rockies before 1st out was recorded, hold on for much-needed winD-backs president on Torey Lovullo: ‘This year is probably his best year’Cactus League generates highest-recorded economic output during 2026 seasonWild Card standings: D-backs chasing Phillies, Padres as time dwindlesDiamondbacks hold on to beat Rockies, keep elimination number at 2Phillies lose to Brewers, fall to 3 games ahead of Diamondbacks for NL Wild Card spot