The Philadelphia Phillies continued their surge up the National League East standings Wednesday night, completing a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins with a 4-1 victory.
Philadelphia has now won a season-best six consecutive games and has dramatically closed the gap on the first-place Atlanta Braves. The Phillies, who trailed Atlanta by 9½ games on Aug. 13, are now just 4½ games behind the Braves.
Luis Arraez led the offensive attack against his former team, collecting two hits and launching a two-run home run, his sixth of the season, off Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara.
Garrett Stubbs also delivered a big night at the plate with two hits and an RBI. With two outs and the bases loaded, Stubbs beat out an infield single that brought Arraez home and gave Philadelphia an early lead. Trea Turner added another run with an RBI double.
Aaron Nola provided the biggest boost on the mound. The veteran right-hander tossed seven strong innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out eight.
It was only the second time this season Nola had completed seven innings. It also marked the first time he had gone seven innings while allowing fewer than three runs since his final start of the 2025 season and just the third such performance since 2024.
Jhoan Duran closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 28th save. Miami’s lone run came from Javier Sanoja, who continued his impressive series by collecting three of the Marlins’ seven hits. Sanoja led off the sixth inning by hitting a solo home run off Nola.
Alcantara was charged with the loss, falling to 13-8. He allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings as Miami dropped five of its last seven games.
The sweep was another important statement for Philadelphia, which has transformed its position in the division race in a matter of days. What once appeared to be a sizable gap behind Atlanta has suddenly become a manageable deficit with the Phillies playing some of their best baseball of the season.
For Miami, the focus now shifts to a new series and an opportunity to regain momentum. The Marlins will open a home series against the Washington Nationals on Friday, with right-hander Ryan Gusto (0-3, 4.70 ERA) scheduled to start for Miami. Washington has not yet announced its starter.
Philadelphia will return home Friday to begin a series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Left-hander Jesús Luzardo (11-5, 3.23 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound for the Phillies, while St. Louis has not announced its starter.
With the Braves suddenly within striking distance, the Phillies’ six-game winning streak has turned the NL East race into one of the most intriguing storylines heading into the final stretch of the season.
