Bryson Stott launched a 464-foot home run, Aaron Nola earned his third win in four last starts, and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 in Phoenix on Monday to maintain their position tied for the top National League wild-card spot.
Bryce Harper contributed two hits and extended his career-high on-base streak to 33 games with an RBI double as the Phillies closed out August with a 21-7 record, the best mark in the majors.
The Phillies have now won 14 of their last 16 games.
Gabriel Moreno recorded two hits, including an RBI double, and Ryan Waldschmidt also had two hits for the Diamondbacks, who had previously won two of three.
Diamondbacks designated hitter Ketel Marte went 1-for-3 with a walk in his return after a 13-game stretch away from the team, which included three games on the restricted list following his absence from an Aug. 17 game in Boston, and 10 games on the injured list due to left knee inflammation.
Marte was booed during his first at-bat, which resulted in a groundout to first base in the second inning, but received cheers following an eighth-inning single. He spoke with his teammates and addressed the media prior to the game.
The Phillies (78-60) remained tied with the Chicago Cubs (78-60) for the top National League wild-card position. The Diamondbacks (73-66) fell one-half game behind San Diego (73-65) for the final wild-card spot.
Jhoan Duran navigated around two infield singles and a wild pitch in the ninth inning to secure his 29th save.
Waldschmidt singled into the hole at shortstop with one out, and Corbin Carroll beat out a chopper over the mound with two outs. Waldschmidt advanced to third on a wild pitch before Duran induced a groundout from Moreno to end the game.
The Diamondbacks left 11 runners on base and went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Nola (6-10) allowed one run and five hits over five-plus innings, recording four strikeouts and two walks. Moreno singled and Marte walked to open the sixth inning, but reliever Alex McFarlane entered and retired the side in order. Nola is now 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA across six August starts.
Arizona right-hander Brandon Pfaadt (7-2) gave up five hits and two runs over six innings, issuing one walk and recording one strikeout.
Stott homered with one out in the second inning to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead, and Harper’s one-out double off the center field fence drove in Garrett Stubbs to extend the advantage to 2-0.
Perdomo singled with one out in the third inning and scored on Moreno’s two-out double down the left field line, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
