The Philadelphia Phillies punched their ticket to the postseason for the fourth year in a row on Sunday, even as a 10-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals delayed their division celebration.
Philadelphia squandered an early 2-0 lead, with Aaron Nola giving up a three-run homer to Salvador Perez in the sixth as part of a five-RBI day for the Royals catcher. Kansas City snapped a six-game skid behind Perez’s big bat and seven strong innings from Noah Cameron (8-7).
Kyle Schwarber launched his NL-best 52nd homer, while J.T. Realmuto and Bryson Stott also went deep for Philadelphia. Nola (4-9) was tagged for six runs over six innings.
Despite the loss, the Phillies locked in their playoff berth when San Francisco later fell to the Dodgers. The club remains in command of the NL East with a 12-game cushion over the Mets and can clinch the division as early as Monday.
The postseason appearance marks Philadelphia’s fourth straight — their longest run since winning five consecutive NL East titles from 2007 to 2011.