ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies were eliminated from the playoff race Sunday with a 5-0 loss to rookie pitcher Josh Fleming the AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays.Philadelphia needed a win over the Rays and losses by San Francisco and Milwaukee to earn its first playoff berth in nine years.
The Brewers and Giants both lost, but the Phillies were unable to give themselves a chance.“It’s tough sitting here and not thinking (about the playoffs),” Harper said. “We had opportunities to win games and we just didn’t get it done.”Sunk all season by a miserable bullpen, the Phillies were swept by Tampa Bay in the three-game series and lost seven of eight overall to finish the year.