MLB: Phillies beat Dodgers to clinch National League East division title

(AFP) The Philadelphia Phillies became the first team to secure a divisional title in Major League Baseball on Monday with a thrilling 6x5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Philadelphia ninth clinched for the second straight year the National League East division title with a record so far of 90-61, already unreachable by their pursuers, the New York Mets (77-73).

The Philadelphia Phillies clinched the National League East title for the second straight year, with a 90–61 record so far that puts them beyond the reach for their pursuers, the New York Mets (77–73).

The achievement was celebrated at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in a game that was defined in the tenth inning.

Kyle Schwarber opened the scoring for the Phillies with a home run in the first inning to bring his season total to 53, just one behind Major League leader Cal Raleigh (Seattle).

Japanese star Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers is third in that ranking with 49, and on Monday he was unable to close the gap on Schwarber in his three at-bats, finishing with a single.

The clash resulted in a sluggers' duel with homers by Mookie Betts for the Dodgers in the seventh inning, by Bryce Harper in the eighth for the Phillies and another by Cuban Andy Pages for the home side that tied the game 5x5 in the ninth.

The visitors took the win and the divisional title with a sacrifice fly by J.T. Realmuto that allowed the winning run by Harrison Bader in the tenth inning.

Venezuelan face-off

In Washington, Venezuelan Ronald Acuña Jr. shined in the Atlanta Braves 11x3 win over the Nationals managed by compatriot Miguel Cairo.

Acuña Jr. had two hits, a base on balls and a home run to extend the visitors' lead to 9x3 in the ninth inning.

It was just the La Guaira slugger's third homer in the last month.

Their American teammates Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin each drove in four runs and combined for seven hits.

In their turn, the New York Yankees were pounded 7x0 by the Minnesota Twins.

Texan Simeon Woods Richardson struck out 11 Yankees players over six innings in which he gave up only two hits and three walks.

Another American pitcher, young Trey Yesavage, became the first Toronto Blue Jays pitcher to strike out nine opponents in his debut.

Yesavage, 22, set the mark in a 2-for-1 win against the Tampa Bays in extra innings.

The pitcher stayed five innings on the mound in which he allowed three hits, two walks and one run.

A single by George Springer allowed Ernie Clement to score the winning run for the Blue Jays in the eleventh inning.

Toronto, the best team in the American League, thus increased its lead over the Yankees at the top of the American League East division to five wins.