James McCann’s solo homer in the 8th inning sends D-backs to a 1-0 win over the Phillies

PHOENIX (AP) — James McCann hit a solo homer in the eighth inning, seven Arizona pitchers combined for a shutout and the Diamondbacks avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0 on Wednesday.

Arizona — which ended a three-game losing streak — is now a half-game ahead of the San Diego Padres for the third and final NL wild card with 21 games remaining on its schedule.

The Phillies saw their six-game winning streak end.

McCann hammered the first pitch he saw from reliever Jonathan Bowlan (2-2) deep into the left-field seats for the game’s only run. It was the veteran catcher’s fifth homer of the season.

The D-backs used a parade of relievers to get through the game, starting with Taylor Clarke, who threw 1 2/3 innings. Derek Law, Kevin Ginkel, Jose Cabrera, Brandyn Garcia, Jonathan Loaisiga (6-3) and Juan Morillo followed.

James McCann's solo homer in the 8th inning sends D-backs to a 1-0 win over the Phillies | iNFOnews.ca
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Lars Nootbaar, left, connects for a single as Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto reaches for the ball during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Morillo struck out Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner to start the ninth before walking Bryce Harper. The hard-throwing righty then coaxed a soft grounder from Luis Arraez to secure his third save of the season.

Arizona managed to salvage the finale despite not recording a hit with runners in scoring position during the entire three-game series.

The Phillies lost for just the third time in 18 games and fell four games behind the Atlanta Braves for first place in the NL East.

Philadelphia right-hander Andrew Painter matched his longest outing of the season with seven scoreless innings, making his way through the D-backs’ lineup with relative ease. He gave up a leadoff single to Lars Nootbaar and didn’t surrender another hit until Geraldo Perdomo’s single in the seventh.

The 23-year-old struck out six.

James McCann's solo homer in the 8th inning sends D-backs to a 1-0 win over the Phillies | iNFOnews.ca
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte pauses in the team dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Up next

The D-backs open a three-game series at the Houston Astros on Friday. Pitchers haven’t been announced.

The Phillies begin a three-game series at Atlanta on Friday. LHP Cristopher Sánchez (16-4, 2.52 ERA) starts for the Phillies against LHP Chris Sale (13-9, 2.06) for the Braves.

James McCann's solo homer in the 8th inning sends D-backs to a 1-0 win over the Phillies | iNFOnews.ca
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper pauses in the team dugout during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

___

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

James McCann's solo homer in the 8th inning sends D-backs to a 1-0 win over the Phillies | iNFOnews.ca
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Andrew Painter throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press


The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.