Braves punch playoff ticket as Harris, Acuña and Olson launch 2-run homers in 6-2 win over Astros

HOUSTON (AP) — Michael Harris II, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson each hit a two-run homer as the Atlanta Braves clinched a playoff berth with a 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Friday night.

The first-place Braves secured at least a National League wild card and reduced their magic number to three for winning the NL East. Atlanta is heading to the postseason for the eighth time in nine years.

The loss dropped Houston into a tie with Texas atop the AL West when the Rangers beat Toronto 7-1. The Astros hold the head-to-head tiebreaker after winning the season series.

Olson hit his 40th home run in the ninth inning to make him the fifth player in franchise history with multiple 40-homer seasons after he set a Braves record with 54 in 2023.

Harris, who had three hits, gave the Braves a 2-0 lead with his homer off Peter Lambert (8-10) in the fourth. They were clinging to a one-run lead with one on and one out in the seventh when Acuña connected off Bennett Sousa to make it 4-1.

The Astros had runners on first and second with two outs in the eighth when an RBI single by Isaac Paredes cut the lead to 4-2. Jose Altuve hit a flyball to shallow right field but Acuña made a diving catch to end the inning.

Tyler Mahle (7-10) allowed three hits and a run with six strikeouts in six innings to help the Braves to their second win in five games.

Lambert yielded six hits and two runs in 5 1/3 innings. He remained winless since July 11.

Olson singled with one out in the fourth before Harris put the Braves on top with his shot to the seats in left field.

Yordan Alvarez got Houston’s first hit on a double with no outs in the fourth. The Astros cut the lead to one when he scored on a single by Paredes.

Houston had runners at first and third with one out in the inning, but Mahle retired Christian Walker on a flyout to shallow center and Taylor Trammell on a groundout to escape the jam.

Atlanta RHP Grant Holmes (9-5, 3.49 ERA) opposes RHP Hayden Wesneski (5-2, 3.70) when the series continues Saturday night.

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Atlanta Braves' Michael Harris II celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Houston Astros pitcher AJ Blubaugh leaves the mound during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. celebrates after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. tosses his bat after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto hit a three-run homer and the New York Mets kept the Philadelphia Phillies from gaining ground in the National League wild-card race with a 6-3 victory Friday night.

Edmundo Sosa went 3 for 3 with a home run and a double for the Phillies (85-69), who remained tied with the Cubs for the top two wild-card spots after Chicago lost 6-4 to Cincinnati. Both teams began the day one game ahead of the San Diego Padres, who hosted Miami later.

Derek Hill also went deep and Bryson Stott had an RBI double for Philadelphia.

Soto also doubled and finished with three hits. A.J. Ewing’s two-run single capped a three-run first inning for the last-place Mets, who ended a five-game losing streak — their longest under interim manager Andy Green. Carson Benge had an RBI single in the first and reached base three times.

Francisco Lindor remained at 299 career homers after going 2 for 5 with a double.

Rookie left-hander Zac Thornton (5-5) allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked one. Thornton has permitted two runs or fewer eight times in 14 big league starts.

Dedniel Núñez got four outs for his second career save and first since July 13, 2024.

José Urquidy tossed 4 2/3 innings of scoreless bulk relief in his Phillies debut. Urquidy, designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, was claimed off waivers Thursday.

Phillies opener Tim Mayza (3-4) was charged with three runs. He threw 33 pitches but recorded just one out — the shortest outing by a Philadelphia starter since Cristopher Sánchez got only one out against the Washington Nationals on July 29, 2021.

The Mets will retire the No. 15 jersey worn by Hall of Fame center fielder Carlos Beltrán on Saturday before RHP Christian Scott (4-5, 3.76 ERA) opposes Phillies RHP Andrew Painter (3-9, 5.54).

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Philadelphia Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly, second from left, pulls pitcher Tim Mayza, left, out of the game during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets pitcher Zac Thornton throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets' Juan Soto celebrates his three-run home run in the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets' Juan Soto looks after his three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets' A.J. Ewing reacts after hitting a two-run double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)