Sometimes, you just have to tip your cap to an amazing play.
Undaunted, the Phillies added an insurance run anyway. Weston Wilson walked, and Sosa doubled to centerfield, allowing Wilson to race home just ahead of the tag.
Wheeler’s superb night (four hits, seven strikeouts, zero walks) was over after seven innings, but if the Braves thought they had a chance with him out of the game, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez put an end to that. Both men allowed a single in their frame but were ultimately able to secure the final six outs without too much trouble.
The Phillies will attempt to earn the series win - and gain another game in the standings - on Sunday night. Aaron Nola is scheduled to start, and while it would be great if he could replicate Wheeler’s dominance, it would also be nice if the offense could make his life easier and score an early run or three.
But for now, a huge congratulations to Wheeler for his 100th win, and here’s to at least 100 more!
In the first two games of their series against the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies fell behind early. On Thursday, they were able to come back and win, but on Friday, the hole was too deep to overcome. On Saturday, they had Zack Wheeler on the mound, and therefore there was no early deficit. Wheeler pitched seven shutout innings, carrying the Phillies to a 3-0-victory, and earning the pitcher his 100th career win.
Wheeler was strong from the beginning. He retired the side in order the first two innings, and while the Braves would get a baserunner or two the rest of the way, they never seemed to threaten Wheeler too seriously.
Unfortunately, as is their wont of late, the Phillies also failed to score early. For the ninth straight game, the Phillies didn’t score in the first two innings. Saturday’s slow start could be excused because they were facing a good pitcher in Max Fried, but this is a trend that needs to end.
They finally got on the scoreboard in the third thanks to a solo home run by Edmundo Sosa.
Neither lineup could muster much offense after that, and the score remained 1-0 for the next few innings. The Braves came very close to tying up the game in the sixth, but Matt Olson came up just short.
Trea Turner finally gave Wheeler a little more breathing room when he led off the sixth with a home run. The top three of the Phillies’ lineup haven’t hit many home runs recently, so this was an especially welcome development.
In the seventh, Austin Hays almost extended the Phillies’ lead to three, but apparently, home run robbery was the theme of the evening.
Phillies starter Zack Wheeler earned his 1st and 100th win against the Atlanta Braves.
Share this article
Link copied!
Related Articles
Get Geared Up
Heading 4
Heading 4
Heading 4
Heading 4