Phillies Win 9th Straight, Wheeler and Co. Shutout D’Backs 4-0
Zack Wheeler pitched six strong shutout innings for the Phillies, who beat the D’Backs 4-0, for their first 9-game win streak since 2011.
Phillies (30-29) Beat D’Backs (28-33)
- Winning Pitcher:Â Zack Wheeler (5-3, 2.84)
- Losing Pitcher: Madison Bumgarner (2-6, 3.50)
- Save:Â n/a
Wow! The Phillies are over .500 for the first time since they were 3-2 on April 12th. They are now 9-0 in June and are currently working on their longest win streak since July 2011. Watching a winning baseball team is one of the true pleasures life has to offer. Now that we as a fanbase have been through the lows of the season, including firing a manager, this winning streak means all that much more.
With the victory the Phillies are just 2 GB of the Brewers and Giants for the final wild-card spot in the National League. Really savor this moment. It’s been over a decade since the Phils have been on a run like this, and there is no guarantee it will continue.
Zack Wheeler pitched like he was the best in the National League this afternoon, lowering his ERA on the season to a dominant 2.84. In his last 8 starts he has ‘Bob Gibson-esque’ 1.82 ERA and most importantly the Phillies are winning those games.
Wheeler tossed six innings allowing only two hits, while striking out eight and walking none. I was hoping Wheeler would come back out for the top of the 7th inning while sitting on 98 pitches, but manager Rob Thomson chose to give the ball to Jeurys Familia, who ran into trouble, loading up the bases before being bailed out by Andrew Bellatti.
Bryson Stott, who had the biggest hit of the game, when he took Madison Bumgarner deep into the right field bleachers in the 2nd inning, putting the Phillies up 3-0. For Stott, that dinger was his fourth in his last eight games. After really struggling in his first 75 major league at-bats, the Phillies top prospect looks like he has taken a big step in figuring out hitting at the highest level.
Nick Castellanos started off the scoring in the 1st inning when he drove in Rhys Hoskins from third base with an RBI single. Castellanos also added a valuable insurance run in the 8th, when he attempted to check his swing, but instead ended up driving home Bryce Harper from 1st base with an RBI double.
The Phillies were only able to score four runs today, much less than their average of 7.5 during the nine game win streak. Even when the Phillies aren’t scoring a ton, they are managing to make the opponents starting pitcher throw a high number of pitches. We saw this earlier in the week against Corbin Burnes and today Madison Bumgarner was forced to throw 94 pitches in completing 5 innings.
The Phillies will look to sweep the D’Backs and make the win streak double digits when Ranger Suarez takes the mound against the D’Backs Sunday afternoon at 1:35.
Jimmy Rollins will be managing during All-Star weekend, make sure to vote for a few other Phillies to be there as well.
Nick Castellanos puts the Phils on the board early with an RBI single to score Rhys Hoskins from third base.
1-0 Phils
Bryson Stott takes Mad Bum deep for a two run shot in the 2nd inning.
3-0 Phils
JT Realmuto strikes out with two men in scoring position and doesn’t like the call from home plate umpire Chris Guccione.
Andrew Bellatti gets Ketel Marte to line out to Odubel Herrera in centerfield allowing the Phillies to escape a bases loading jam in the 7th inning.
Nick Castellanos attempts to check his swing, but instead drives the ball down the right field line scoring Bryce Harper all the way from 1st base.
4-0 Phils
Christoper Sanchez gets Perdomo to ground out to Vatt Vierling, securing the Phillies 9th straight win.
PHILLIES WIN 4-0!
Up Next
The Phillies take on the the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday afternoon in the final game of the series at Citizens Bank Park.
Ranger Suarez (4-3, 4.42) will toe the rubber facing off against TBD (0-0 0.00), with the first pitch scheduled for 1:35 pm.
NBC Sports Philadelphia will have the broadcast of the game.
Mandatory Photo Credit: Philadelphia Phillies
