Wheeler exceptional through 8 scoreless innings to hand Phillies win over Padres originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Talk about starting the week (and the homestand) off right.
The Phillies wrapped up June on a strong note, collecting their 50th win of the season Monday against the Padres, 4-0.
The club finished the month 14-13, and while it was a stretch teetering along the .500 mark, the Phillies enter July sitting two games up on the Mets in the NL East. Only the Dodgers have a better record in the National League.
To be able to say that, even with the offensive coin toss they’ve had over the past few weeks, is a feat in itself.
It’s a broken record when it comes to Zack Wheeler starts but the Phillies are spoiled rotten when he takes the mound. Wheeler went 8.0 innings for the first time this season and didn’t allow a run on six hits. It’s the first time he’s reached double-digit strikeouts (10) since Apr. 18 against the Marlins (13). Monday also marked his third straight scoreless outing.
It’s greatness. Time and time and time again.
If you give up a leadoff walk in an inning, there’s a good chance you’ll have to pay for it. In Matt Waldron’s second of six walks of the night, he sent Max Kepler to first on four pitches. Kepler would cross home plate two batters later.
One inning later, Kepler was inches away from helping the Phillies go up three more runs … if it weren’t for one of the best catches to ever happen at Citizens Bank Park.
With two men on, Kepler drilled a ball to deep center field and Jackson Merrill snatched it over the fence. The timing and extension from the 6-foot-3 center fielder was impeccable and he brought the ball, and everyone in the ballpark, back to Earth to end the third.
It’s OK though because the next time the offense was up, utter chaos ensued on the basepaths. Bryson Stott walked, then stole his 13th bag of the season. Brandon Marsh out-hustled Luis Arraez on a groundout to first, which somehow scored Stott. A wild pitch advanced Marsh and he then read a Trea Turner dribble up the third baseline so well, both he and Turner were safe.
Given Turner’s level of consistency this season, it’s borderline absurd his offensive contributions have been discussed so little. Turner is the only player in the National League with over 100 hits (102). The closest to him is Shohei Ohtani, who has eight less with only a one-game differential.
Small ball was what got the job done Sunday in Atlanta to collect a series win. Perhaps the Phillies realized it was a solid enough recipe once again.
When you have your ace on the mound, usually a few runs is all you need.
The addition of a Nick Castellanos long ball was a nice touch, though. It was his second home run in four days.
For the first time in 24 days, Bryce Harper was back in the starting lineup. The club reinstated him from the 10-day injured list prior to Monday’s game. Harper was dealing with right wrist inflammation, and at this point, he said he didn’t think he “was going to take any other steps forward of feeling better.”
It’s something he and the Phillies will be monitoring for the remainder of the season.
What’s clear though – is how much better the lineup operates with him. Yes, that’s a given because it’s Harper – but having a lineup that stretches out just that bit more is what the Phillies have desperately missed since he went on the IL.
Pitchers approach the Phillies differently when No. 3 is in. Harper didn’t have a hit in his return but walked and was hit by a pitch.
