NEW YORK — Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies clinched their third consecutive playoff appearance Friday night with a 12-2 victory over the New York Mets.
Assured at least a National League wild card, the Phillies can secure their first NL East title since 2011 with one more win this weekend against the second-place Mets at Citi Field.
With the division crown so close, Philadelphia planned a mellow celebration following Friday night's game — hoping to let loose soon with a boozy clubhouse bash after locking up first place.
The Phillies not only clinched a playoff spot Friday night, they did it emphatically. The 12-2 win over the Mets is the largest win to clinch a playoff spot in Phillies history and is tied for the 4th-largest win by a team that clinched a playoff spot that day over the last 15 seasons: Seeking their third World Series championship, the Phillies overtook Atlanta for the division lead on May 3 and haven't trailed since.