Astros 5, Phillies 2
Clint Barmes belted a three-run homer and J.A. Happ burned his former team with six solid innings as the Houston Astros prevented the visiting Philadelphia Phillies from clinching a postseason berth for the second straight night with a 5-2 victory Tuesday.
National League East-leading Philadelphia could have gained entry into the playoffs with a win or a loss by St. Louis, which defeated Pittsburgh 6-4 on Tuesday.
Rookie J.B. Shuck collected a season-high three hits and fellow first-year player J.D. Martinez and Jason Bourgeois drove in a run apiece for Houston (51-97), which denied setting a franchise mark for losses in a season. The Astros also accumulated 97 losses in 1965, 1975 and 1991.
Happ (6-15), who pitched in parts of four seasons for the Phillies, secured his third win in his last 14 decisions. He allowed one run, four hits and struck out four.
Former Astro Hunter Pence belted his 20th homer of the season and Carlos Ruiz also went deep for Philadelphia, which saw its magic number for clinching its fifth straight NL East title remain at five. The second-place Atlanta Braves beat Florida 7-1 on Tuesday.
Cole Hamels (14-8) was denied matching his career high in wins after he permitted five runs on nine hits in five innings.