PHILADELPHIA — The going-nowhere New York Mets made sure the Philadelphia Phillies took their champagne on the road.
The Phillies, however, are at least assured of going to the playoffs.
Carlos Beltran hit two home runs and David Wright hit one as the Mets beat Philadelphia 7-3 on Sunday, preventing the Phillies from clinching their fourth consecutive NL East title at home.
“The champagne was onice and the fans here are very passionate. I’m glad we were able to get it done,” Mets Manager Jerry Manuel said.
The two-time defending NL champions came in needing a victory and a loss by Atlanta to secure the division crown. The Braves lost 4-2 to Washington, dropping Philadelphia’s magic number to one.
The Phillies later became the first NL team to lock up a playoff spot this year when San Diego lost to Cincinnati 12-2. They’re certain of at least a wild-card slot.
Chase Utley hit a three-run home run for the Phillies, who will finish the season on the road with three games at Washington and three at Atlanta.
“It would’ve been nice if our fans could’ve seen us,” Philadelphia Manager Charlie Manuel said.
The Mets roughed up Cole Hamels (12-11) for 5 runs and 9 hits in 4-plus innings, dropping Hamels to 0-4 against New York this year. The lefty had been dominant recently. He had given up 4 runs in his previous 6 starts, a span of 43 2-3 innings.
“Just one of those days where I wasn’t able to locate and be consistent,” Hamels said. “Sometimes it happens. With the way I’ve been pitching, I know I can correct it and get it back on track.”
Manny Acosta (3-1) tossed 1 1-3 innings of scoreless relief to win. Mets starter Pat Misch had a 5-0 lead going into the fifth, but couldn’t finish the inning. He allowed 3 runs and 7 hits in 4 2-3 innings to remain 0-4.
The Phillies are 45-17 since July 21, when they trailed Atlanta by seven games. They are 19-5 in September and have a six-game lead over the Braves.
The crowd of 45,302 marked the 123rd consecutive sellout at Citizens Bank Park. Fans came hoping to watch the Phillies win the division at home for the fourth consecutive season, but now they’ll have to wait for the playoffs to break out those “Fightin’ Phils” rally towels.
“They’re going to celebrate sooner or later,” Beltran said. “Wejust wanted to win some games here.”
GIANTS 4, ROCKIES 2
Matt Cain (13-10) carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning, pitching visiting San Francisco past Colorado and back into first place in the NL West.
REDS 12, PADRES 2
Chris Heisey hit a home run and a three-run double, leading visiting Cincinnati to a romp over San Diego that reduced its magic number to one for winning the NL Central.
NATIONALS 4, BRAVES 2
Every Nationals player who scored got on base with a walk against the host Braves.
CARDINALS 8, CUBS 7
Albert Pujols hit his league-leading 42nd home run and visiting St. Louis held off Chicago, preventing the Reds from clinching the NL Central title. The Cubs finished 35-46 at Wrigley Field this season.
PIRATES 9, ASTROS 3 Paul Maholm limited visiting Houston to one run over seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time all season.
BREWERS 7, MARLINS 1 Ryan Braun hit two of Milwaukee’s four home runs and Chris Capuano pitched six innings before leaving with an injury in host Milwaukee’s victory over Florida.
DIAMONDBACKS 5, DODGERS 4 Chris Young and Tony Abreu each hit a two-run home run in a four-run eighth inning to rally host Arizona.
American League MARINERS 6, RAYS 2 Josh Wilson hit a tiebreaking, three-run home run in the sixth inning off James Shields and visiting Seattle stalled AL East-leading Tampa Bay.
RANGERS 16, ATHLETICS 9 Rookie Mitch Moreland hit two home runs and drove in a season-high five runs, leading visiting AL West champion Texas past Trevor Cahill and Oakland TIGERS 5, TWINS 1 Miguel Cabrera hit his career-high 38th home run, helping host Detroit beat Minnesota in its final home game of the season.
BLUE JAYS 5, ORIOLES 2 Major league home run leader Jose Bautista was twice hit by pitches, leading to the ejection of Baltimore Manager Buck Showalter, and host Toronto beat Baltimore.
WHITE SOX 4, ANGELS 3 Juan Pierre tripled home the tying run and scored on Omar Vizquel’s single in the seventh inning, leading visiting Chicago.
INDIANS 5, ROYALS 3 Pinch-hitter Michael Brantley’s two-run double capped a five-run rally in the eighth inning that carried host Cleveland.
YANKEES 4, RED SOX 3 Juan Miranda drew a bases-loaded walk from Hideki Okajima in the 10th inning that gave host New York a victory over Boston.
Sunday’s games NATIONAL LEAGUE Washington 4, Atlanta 2 Pittsburgh 9, Houston 3 NY Mets 7, Philadelphia 3 Milwaukee 7, Florida 1 St. Louis 8, Chicago Cubs 7 San Francisco 4, Colorado 2 Cincinnati 12, San Diego 2 Arizona 5, LA.Dodgers 4 AMERICAN LEAGUE Cleveland 5, Kansas City 3 Detroit 5, Minnesota 1 Toronto 5, Baltimore 2 Seattle 6, Tampa Bay 2 Chicago White Sox 4, LA Angels 3 Texas 16, Oakland 9 NY Yankees 4, Boston 3, 10 innings
Sports, Pages 15 on 09/27/2010