PHILADELPHIA -- While Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson padded their MVP credentials, Kevin Pillar showed why he’s also a key reason the Braves are seemingly going to clinch a sixth straight National League East title with more than two weeks left in the season.

Instead of beginning the day-night doubleheader in frustrating fashion, the Braves overcame Raisel Iglesias’ blown save and claimed a 10-8, 10-inning win over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Monday afternoon. Pillar singled to begin the bottom of the 10th and scored on Orlando Arcia’s double.

“[Pillar] hasn’t had an at-bat in 10 days or more, and he hits a rocket,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s a pro. He gets it. He understands his role and he’s always ready.”

• Games remaining (19): at PHI (3), at MIA (3), vs. PHI (3), at WSH (4), vs. CHC (3), vs. WSH (3)
• Standings update: The Braves (94-49) lead the second-place Phillies (78-65) by 16 games in the National League East race. Atlanta is the top NL division leader, meaning it would receive a first-round bye and face the winner of the No. 4 and No. 5 Wild Card teams in a best-of-five NL Division Series starting on Oct. 7.
• Magic number: For postseason berth: 0; for division title: 4

After Bryce Harper hit a game-tying two-run homer off Iglesias with two outs in the ninth, Pillar made sure the Braves wouldn’t be deflated, plating automatic runner Forrest Wall with a pinch-hit single two pitches into the 10th. Arcia piled on Phillies left-handed reliever José Alvarado by bouncing a double into the left-field corner.

“It didn’t come under ideal circumstances,” Pillar said. “I would have rather won the game in the ninth. But I saw things developing, and I saw who was warming up in the bullpen. I was hoping they would call my number.”

Pillar’s playing time has been limited because the Braves haven’t seen many left-handed starters recently. This was his first plate appearance since he tallied two hits against the Rockies on Aug. 30.

Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris II hit back-to-back home runs during a big three-run sixth for the Braves, who can clinch a sixth straight division title by winning two of the remaining three games of this series. Olson, named the NL Player of the Week after Game 1, increased his MLB-leading RBI total to 123 with a two-run double in the fifth.

Braves starter Charlie Morton struck out nine but gave up four runs over six innings. He allowed three singles in the fifth, including a Bryson Stott fly ball that Acuña Jr. lost in the sun. But the right fielder picked up the ball, took a step forward and fired a 94.1 mph throw that denied Alec Bohm’s bid to score from first on the play.

As for Acuña, he is now four home runs away from recording the fifth 40-homer/40-steals season in MLB history after singling and tallying his 65th stolen base in the fifth inning. He has scored 130 runs, putting him one away from the franchise Modern Era record Dale Murphy set in 1983.