The Phillies sent Zack Wheeler to the mound against the Atlanta Braves today for a late afternoon game at Citizens Bank Park. Often considered the “second ace”, we all expect Wheeler to come out and dominate baseball games from the pitching mound. What was surprising today, is how he managed to do that while providing a much needed lift for the Phillies at the plate.

Wheeler threw seven innings allowing only one hit and one base runner, striking out 10. He allowed zero walks and at one point retired 17 consecutive Braves hitters. It was the first time in his career he allowed only one hit. What made things even better, Wheeler was 2-for-3 from the plate with a single, double, two RBI, and one run scored.

Wheeler got things moving in the 5th inning with a single to break the 0-0 tie and give the Phillies a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, Rhys Hoskins hit a broken-bat double to score two more runs for the Phillies, helping Wheeler out and extending the Phillies’ lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the 5th inning.

Wheeler wasn’t done at the plate. In the bottom of the 6th inning, he roped a ball down the left field line scoring Alec Bohm and giving the Phillies a 4-0 lead. Archie Bradley took the mound in relief in 8th and pitched a 1-2-3 inning, allowing zero hits and striking out one. Hector Neris came in to close out the game in the 9th inning and also pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out the side. Wheeler, Bradley, and Neris combined for a one-hit shutout. They retired 23 straight batters to close out the game and give the Phillies a 4-0 win.

The Phillies will be back in action tomorrow at 1:05pm against the Atlanta Braves. Zach Eflin will make his first start of the 2021 season with an opening series sweep against the preseason NL East favorite Atlanta Braves on the line.

As always, we check in with Didi on Twitter for the official recap:

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Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY