Wheeler Keeps on Rolling Against SD
Philadelphia started the final homestand before the All-Star break, and once again, it was the Zack Wheeler show, as he dominated the San Diego Padres, as the Phillies defeated the San Diego Padres, 4-0, at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Phillies drew first blood. Max Kepler got a leadoff walk, then J.T. Realmuto singled to center that moved Kepler to third, which was followed by a Bryson Stott ground out, that scored Kepler, and making it 1-0.
In the bottom of the 4th inning, Stott got a one out walk, then proceeded to steal second base. Then, Brandon Marsh hit a grounder to Luis Arraez, but Padres starting pitcher Matt Waldron forgot to cover first, and Marsh beat him to the bag. Meanwhile, Stott kept going, and beat the play at the plate, and giving Philadelphia a 2-0 lead.
Then, after Marsh stole second, and then advanced to third on a Waldron wild pitch, it was Trea Turner hitting a slow rolling single to third baseman, Manny Machado, who pocketed the ball. Turner’s RBI single gave the Phillies a 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Philadelphia capped off the scoring, as Nick Castellanos jumped on a first pitch knuckleball, and hit his 10th home run of the year, giving Philadelphia a 4-0 lead.
The story of the night, no doubt, is Zack Wheeler. Wheeler, went 8 innings for his 8th win of the year, and struck out ten batters. Wheeler’s ERA, for the season, is now 2.27. In June, Wheeler went 2-1 with 0.58 ERA, and striking out 42 batters, while only walking seven.
Up next for Phillies
The Phillies will have Cristopher Sanchez on the mound, as he will go for his 7th win of the season, and he will face former Phillie, Nick Pivetta, who will be going for his 9th win of the year. First pitch is schedule for 6:35 p.m..
-David Weightman/ Olde City Sports Network