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By The Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Cristopher Sánchez earned his major league-leading 18th win Sunday, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-2 victory over the New York Mets.
The Phillies (86-70), who salvaged a split of the four-game series, entered Sunday in the third National League wild-card spot, one game behind the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres and four games clear of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Sánchez surrendered six hits -- including Bo Bichette's sixth-inning homer -- and struck out six over 6 1/3 innings as he snapped a tie with the Boston Red Sox's Sonny Gray for the big league lead in wins.
The last Phillies pitcher to lead the majors in wins was Steve Carlton with 23 in 1982.
Justin Crawford had a three-run triple and Luis Arraez finished with two RBIs. Alec Bohm and Trea Turner each had run-scoring hits. Kyle Schwarber tied a career high with four walks.
Rookie Jonah Tong (2-2) gave up four runs and struck out five in 4 2/3 innings for the last-place Mets, who finished 36-45 at home -- their worst record at Citi Field since the 2013 team went 33-48.
PIRATES 4, ROYALS 3
PITTSBURGH -- Rafael Flores Jr. hit the go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning to help the Pittsburgh Pirates to a victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday and complete a series sweep. After Ryan O'Hearn led off with a single to center, Flores sent a slider from Nate Pearson (2-3) into the left-field bleachers for his 10th homer this season. Pittsburgh rallied with a two-run homer in the eighth for a second straight day. Brandon Lowe had his 33rd of the season in a 6-5 win Saturday. Carmen Mlodzinki (8-7) got the win. Mason Montgomery earned his 16th save.