Philly Leader

On Wednesday night, the Philadelphia Phillies secured a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the National League Division Series (NLDS) after defeating the Chicago Cubs 9-6 at Citizens Bank Park. The victory marked their 94th win of the season. The clinching moment came after the Milwaukee Brewers lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The game started strong for Philadelphia against Cubs starter Javier Assad, with a 4-0 lead by the end of three innings. Bryson Stott contributed with a two-run double in the first inning, and Nick Castellanos added a solo home run in the third inning.

Chicago responded in the fourth inning when Nico Hoerner hit a three-run homer off Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, narrowing Philadelphia's lead. However, Philadelphia continued to extend their lead over the next two innings. Kody Clemens hit a home run over the center-field wall in the fourth inning. Assad exited one out into the fifth inning but was charged with three more runs when Brandon Marsh hit a bases-clearing double off reliever Keegan Thompson.

The sellout crowd of 42,438 on Fan Appreciation Day witnessed an exciting game that ensured Philadelphia's advantageous position going into the playoffs.