Phillies win NL East; Mets, Brewers tied for wild card

The clouded National League playoff picture got a little clearer Saturday as the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the NL East, leaving the New York Mets to battle the Milwaukee Brewers for the wild card on the season's final day.

New York and Milwaukee sport identical 89-72 records after Mets ace Johan Santana staved off elimination by blanking the Florida Marlins 3-0 Saturday afternoon at Shea Stadium.

The Brewers lost 7-3 to the visiting Chicago Cubs, who tagged Milwaukee starter Ben Sheets for four runs in 2 1/3 innings.

"That's all I had," said Sheets, who tried to put aside nagging elbow soreness to make his first start since Sept. 17. "I got a broke arm, I got a broke arm. It's not really broke, but it's all I had for the year. Things definitely don't look like they're on my side."

Just prior to the final out in Milwaukee, Philadelphia (91-70) wrapped up a 4-3 home win over Washington to put the NL East title out of reach of the second-place Mets.

"We're not done yet," said the Phillies' Chase Utley after his team clinched its second straight division title.

Brewers counting on Sabathia

The wild card could be decided on Sunday, when New York sends Odalis Perez (7-11, 4.27 ERA) to the mound against the Marlins' Scott Olsen (8-11, 4.23 ERA).

The Brewers will presumably feel more confident, with ace C.C. Sabathia (10-2, 1.78 ERA since coming to Milwaukee in mid-season trade with Cleveland) taking on the Cubs' Angel Guzman.

A Sept. 1 call-up, Guzman has appeared in only five games for the NL Central champions and has a 7.04 ERA in 7 2/3 innings.

Ace Carlos Zambrano was originally slated to go on three days rest, but Cubs manager Lou Piniella nixed the idea after consulting with the big right-hander.

"He would rather long toss," Piniella said. "That's his preference. He feels that's a better scenario for him, and what we're interested in is what's best for him."

If the Mets and Brewers are still tied after Sunday's contests, they'll meet for a one-game playoff at Shea on Monday. New York won a coin flip for the right to host the potential tiebreaker.

Santana dominates Marlins

Sunday's drama was made possible by Santana's clutch performance on Saturday.

The Mets lefty — acquired in the off-season from Minnesota for a package of prospects and signed to a six-year, $137.4 million US contract — lived up to his price tag in a do-or-die contest.

Pressed into action on three days' rest as New York trailed Milwaukee by one game, Santana delivered a three-hit shutout. Perhaps more important, he followed a 125-pitch outing in his last start by delivering 117 times to keep the Mets' shaky relievers in the bullpen.

"How many did he pitch? How many did he throw?" manager Jerry Manuel said with a grin. "Wow, wow, wow, wow. I think if I had to describe that one, I would say that was gangsta. That was real gangsta."

The NL ERA leader improved to 9-0 in 17 starts since late June, striking out nine and walking three in his sixth career shutout.

"I saw those guys swinging, and swinging and putting the ball in play," Santana said. "I didn't think about tomorrow, I thought about today."