Phillies Edge Padres 2-1 to Lead NL East Before All-Star Break

The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the San Diego Padres 2-1 at Petco Park to avoid being swept in their three-game series before the All-Star break, moving a half-game ahead in the NL East race. Phillies' left-hander Cristopher Sánchez pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits, and struck out six, while the Phillies capitalized on Padres' defensive errors early in the game. Bryce Harper's hustle double and J.T. Realmuto's RBI double in the eighth inning broke the 1-1 tie, securing the Phillies' victory. The Padres had earlier taken leads in the series, with notable performances from Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, but defensive lapses and timely Phillies hitting proved decisive. Phillies' ace Zack Wheeler opted to rest during the All-Star Game, prioritizing his health for the season's remainder, while Padres' starter Yu Darvish struggled with limited innings in his recent starts. Overall, the series highlighted strong pitching duels and critical defensive moments that shaped the tight competition between these two National League contenders.