PHILADELPHIA – The temperature was 69 degrees at first pitch and the theme night was billed as Oktoberfest.

So it certainly felt like fall at Citizens Bank Park. More importantly, the Phillies made it look like the autumn they and a sellout throng of 44,471 hope to have.

Their Aug. 18 performance was worthy of the real October, which will arrive glimmering with its postseason showdowns and World Series opportunity.

If they can repeat it then, it’ll certainly be festive.

The timing was also important as a 12-7 win over the playoff-worthy Seattle Mariners came on the day ace pitcher Zack Wheeler, his baseball future suddenly uncertain, had a blood clot removed from his upper right arm. Expert MLB daily picks: Unique MLB betting insights only at USA TODAY

As the Phillies commenced

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