Zack Wheeler, Phillies Shut Down Braves 7-3 In Series Opener
Zack Wheeler struck out 10 Braves hitters and Rhys Hoskins had 3 RBI, as the Phillies topped the Braves 7-3 in the series opener.
Phillies (20-22) Beat Braves (19-23)
- Winning Pitcher: Zack Wheeler (3-3, 3.38)
- Losing Pitcher: (1-1, 8.71)
- Save: n/a
Zach Wheeler is officially back to his dominant ways after picking up the win Monday night, tossing 6.2 innings and striking out 10 while allowing only 2 ER. The Smyrna, Georgia native and childhood Braves fan who grew up idolizing Chipper Jones, allowed eight hits, but cruised after a long 1st inning in which he was able to escape unscathed.
Roman Quinn made the play of the night, not with his bat, but with his arm, with a laser beam throw from centerfield to JT Realmuto, who applied the tag to William Contreras sliding into home. From that point on Wheeler was electric and easily handled the Braves lineup.
Wheeler, who struggled to start the season, had an 8.53 ERA and three losses after his first three starts. In the five starts since, he has posted a 1.38 ERA with 40 strikeouts and the Phillies have won four of his five starts. That’s the elite level of production this Phillies team desperately needs as it struggles to find offensive consistency.
Rhys Hoskins put the Phillies ahead early, with a bases clearing 3-RBI double in the 2nd inning with two outs. The Phils were outstanding tonight with two outs, as all seven of their runs came in clutch spots. JT Realmuto and Roman Quinn both had extra base RBI’s in the 3rd inning and Jean Segura added an RBI single in the 4th inning to make it 7-0.
The bats went silent following the 4th inning, as the Phillies were only able to register a total of two hits the rest of the way. This team will win a lot of games if they are able to score seven, but this they have a real issue with going dark at the plate for extended periods. I think that it’s fine to be excited tonight, but I remain skeptical by this teams ability to score.
Jeurys Familia and Connor Brogdon both struggled out of the pen, yet managed not to completely implode, which felt like a real possibility around the 7th inning. Corey Knebel looked solid cruising through a non-save opportunity to close out of the game in the 9th.
The Phillies will look to make it three wins in a row tomorrow night against the Braves and their ace Max Fried. Wouldn’t it be great to sweep the Braves and finish May above the .500 mark?
We can dream.
Big shoutout to my favorite Phillies television personality John Kruk who will be out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on his gallbladder. Get well Jon…Have a disgusting shoe beer on me!
Roman Quinn guns out the runner at home after a Miguel Ozuna single.
HUGE PLAY by Roman!
Rhys Hoskins clears the bases with a 3-RBI double in the 2nd inning of Braves starter Tyler Davidson.
3-0 Phils
JT Realmuto increases the lead with an RBI-triple in the 3rd inning.
4-0 Phils
Roman Quinn hits a deep fly ball that should have been caught, but instead the Braves outfielders let the ball drop allowing two runs to score.
6-0 Phils
Jean Segura with a 2 out RBI single in the 4th inning to put the Phillies up big.
7-0 Phils
Dansby Swanson puts the Braves on the scoreboard.
7-1 Phils
Austin Riley drives in a run with an RBI single in the 7th inning.
7-1 Phils
Zack Wheeler strikes out his 10th and finally batter of the night.
Ozzie Albies knocks in another run for the Braves off Connor Brogdon.
7-3 Phils
Up Next
The Phillies will look to make it three victories in a row in the second game of a four game series against the division-rival Braves in Atlanta on Tuesday night.
Kyle Gibson (3-2, 3.98) will toe the rubber facing off against Max Fried (4-2, 3.31), with the first pitch scheduled for 7:20 pm.
NBC Sports will carry the broadcast of the game.
Mandatory Image Credit: Philadelphia Phillies
