Zack Wheeler dominates, Phillies homer 3 times to beat D-Backs 6-1 in Game 5 of the NLCS

The Philadelphia Phillies bounced back in Arizona last night, beating the Diamondbacks 6-1 in Game 5 of the NLCS to send the series back to Citizens Bank Park, one win away from their second consecutive National League Pennant.

Kyle Schwarber got things rolling in the top of the first inning by hitting a chopper off the top of his bat down the third base line for an infield single. Four batters later, Bryson Stott would draw first blood with two outs, hitting an RBI single to center field that scored Schwarber. 

Bryson Stott RBI Single

Rob Thomson is a mad man.

With two outs in the top of the first inning, Topper called for a double steal with Byrson Stott on first base and Bryce Harper on third. Stott got caught up in a rundown with Harper breaking for home plate.

The throw by Ketel Marte was horrible, as Gabriel Moreno had to reach down the third base line to even attempt to catch it. He didn’t and instead collided with Bryce Harper who crossed home plate to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead. 

Bryce Harper Steals Home

Dirty Play from Harper? Of course not.

Leave it to the dorks on Twitter for saying that the steal from Harper was a “dirty play”. I refuse to comment further on this because it was definitely not a dirty play. I’m not sure how anyone could come to that conclusion. Marte’s throw home was the equivalent of an NFL quarterback leaving his receiver out to dry over the middle.

Harper Sets Tone Early in Game 5

While Zack Wheeler silenced the Diamondbacks at the plate, the Phillies would continue to pile on runs in the top of the sixth inning thanks to two home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper to extend their lead to 4-0. 

Kyle Schwarber: 461 feet, 114.1 mph

Bryce Harper: 444 feet, 112.4 mph

Most HR in the National League in the last two postseasons

• Phillies: 47 HR
• D-Backs: 16 HR
• Padres: 15 HR
• BRYCE HARPER: 11 HR
• KYLE SCHWARBER: 11 HR
• Braves: 8 HR
• Dodgers: 5 HR
• Mets: 3 HR
• Brewers: 1 HR
• Cardinals: 1 HR

Kyle Schwarber’s home run was career No. 11 in the NLCS, the most homers in NLCS history. 

Bryce Harper has now tied Jayson Werth for the most home runs in Phillies postseason franchise history with 11. The crazy part is that Bryce Harper has managed to do that in just 28 games, compared to Werth’s 40 games. 

In the top of the sixth inning, JT Realmuto gave the Phillies’ some extra insurance, smashing a two-run home run to left field, giving the Phillies a 6-1 lead over the D-Backs, which ended up being the final score on the night.

JT Realmuto Insurance Company LLC

Zack Wheeler: October’s Very Own

After a miserable Game 4 where the Phillies basically burned their entire bullpen outside of the always untrustworthy Taijuan Walker and Michael Lorenzen, Rob Thomson and company desperately needed a strong outing from their ace last night. 

As Mr. October does, Zack Wheeler delivered. Wheeler tossed seven strong innings, allowing six hits and one earned run, which game in his final frame, while walking just one and striking out eight. 

This postseason, Wheeler is now 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA. He has struck out 34 batters in just 26.0 innings pitched. His 0.73 WHIP is the lowest in postseason history (10 min starts).

Zack Wheeler 2023 Postseason

NLWC Game 1: 6.2 IP, 8 K, 1 ER
NLDS Game 2: 6.1 IP, 10 K, 2 ER
NLCS Game 1: 6 IP, 8 K, 2 ER
NLCS Game 5: 7 IP, 8 K, 1 ER#RedOctober | #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/QNp15LqDcJ

— Drew Smith (@drewmsmith) October 22, 2023

Wheeler has now made 10 postseason starts over the past two seasons with the Phillies. He has a 2.48 ERA over that span, while opponents are slashing just .164/.211/.256 against him. 

In relief, there’s really not much more you can say about how amazing Jeff Hoffman has been for this bullpen. After pitching in Game 3 and Game 4, Hoff was on the mound last night yet again, throwing a scoreless eighth inning, striking out one. 

Seranthony Dominguez then pitched the first two outs of the ninth before Matt Strahm entered and locked up a trip back to Citizens Bank Park with a 3-2 series lead over the D-Backs. 

Aaron Nola – For All Things Holy

Aaron Nola will take the mound Monday night at Citizens Bank Park looking to guide the Phillies to their second consecutive National League Pennant and World Series appearance.

Nola has pitched in four “clinching games” since last year (2 WC and 2 Regular Season). He’s allowed just one run in 27 innings, good for a 0.33 ERA.

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