Yelich Homers as Brewers Slow Phillies' Clinch

Christian Yelich hit his 12th home run and Brice Turang added his 20th as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 on Wednesday night in Philadelphia, earning Milwaukee's 99th win and delaying Philadelphia's push to clinch a playoff berth. William Contreras drove in two with a single in the third, and Logan Henderson (11-3) held the Phillies to one run over five innings.

Philadelphia needed a win plus help from Arizona or San Diego losses to lock a fifth straight postseason trip. Both the Diamondbacks and Padres won, leaving the Phillies tied with the Chicago Cubs at 87-71 for the second NL wild card, one game behind San Diego.

Aaron Nola (7-11) had posted a 1.86 ERA over his previous eight starts and drew the ball with a clinch party planned. Instead he served Turang's leadoff-frame homer and Yelich's solo shot in the second. The Phillies went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10.

Milwaukee sits two games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in the majors and home-field advantage through October. Trevor Megill finished the ninth for his 30th save. Brewers fans get another night of 99-win swagger. Phillies fans get another night of waiting.

Interim manager Don Mattingly had said the club was willing to hang around Citizens Bank Park after a Padres result if a celebration was live. There was no need. The Brewers took the party with them.

Clinch nights die when the middle of the order goes quiet and the visitors keep answering early. Yelich's second-inning swing was the second dagger. Milwaukee keeps chasing 100. Philadelphia keeps chasing permission to celebrate.

The Brewers already locked the NL Central. Wednesday was about October seeding and about denying a rival a party. Henderson's five innings and Megill's 30th save were the quiet half. Yelich and Turang were the loud half. Contreras stretching an 11-game hit streak was the insurance.

Phillies fans can still clinch later this week. They cannot rewrite a 0-for-12 night with runners on. Milwaukee flies home knowing the best record in baseball is still within reach and that Wednesday's win bought another day of pressure on everyone else.

NL board

Yelich: 12th HR (solo, second). Turang: 20th HR (first). Contreras: two-run single, 11-game hit streak.

Brewers 4, Phillies 1. Milwaukee win No. 99. Megill 30th save.

Phillies: 0-for-12 RISP. Magic number unchanged after Arizona and San Diego won.

Fan closer

Yelich helped steal the clinch champagne. Watch Thursday's rematch knowing Milwaukee is still playing for October seeding, not survival.