A quick, hard storm came and went in South Philadelphia before the first pitch was thrown at Citizens Bank Park. The grounds crew was prepared, got the tarp off as soon as the skies cleared, and the game surprisingly started on time. The dark clouds that were present just minutes before wouldn’t be an ominous omen, nor would the humidity result in sluggish play from the hometown team.
On offense, the Phillies scored three runs through patience, awareness, and hustle – small ball, if you will. Yes, Nick Castellanos added a home run, but that was the fourth run – they only needed one. That’s because their starting pitcher, Zack Wheeler – their ace – lived up to that moniker and then some. Philadelphia struck down San Diego 4-0 with a mix bag of everything you want to see from this team – dominant starting pitching, hard-nosed base running, and an occasional long ball.
There weren’t many low-lights from Philly, so let’s break down the big players and moments from tonight’s victory.
Zack Wheeler – Ace, Horse, Cy Young, Best in Baseball….your choice
Wheeler was his dominant self once again tonight. Early on, he showed a great mix of pitches and speeds, effectively keeping Padres hitters off-balance all evening. Wheeler pitched eight innings, allowing six scattered hits and striking out ten on 107 pitches (74 strikes). It was his third double-digit strikeout game this season – his first since April 18 vs. Miami.
It’s also the deepest he has gone into a game this season. Wheeler was so effective, he only had one three-ball count all night, and it came in his final frame. Manager Rob Thomson noted postgame that he felt comfortable pushing him despite having 95 pitches through seven frames because the team has an upcoming off day that will give him some extra rest. He expanded on his pitcher’s performance:
“(He’s) just been phenomenal the entire month…just efficient, strike throwing ability, command, velocity,” Thomson said. He added more about his dominant June: “It’s phenomenal. I’m not sure if I’ve got a pitcher that – whether I’m coaching or I’m managing – that has had a month like that.”
Zack has been nothing short of dominant during the month – he’s allowed only two earned runs over 31.0 innings, with 42 Ks and just 7 walks. It doesn’t get much better than that. Philadelphia’s entire pitching staff has been great in June, but he in particular has separated himself from the pack. Thomson said post-game that he thinks either Wheeler or Ranger Suárez should win National League Pitcher of the Month, and while they’ve both been dominant, it should go to Wheeler without question. That’s how good he’s been.
Phillies Hustle
Philly’s offense got things going with their legs, more than their bats tonight. A combination of patience, small ball, and hustle got it done in the third and fourth innings to put Philadelphia up 3-0.
Max Kepler drew a walk, then went first-to-third on a single from J.T. Realmuto in the third. Bryson Stott would drive Kepler in with a grounder that he pulled to the right side. One run. In the fourth frame, Stott got involved once again with a walk of his own. A stolen base set him up to score with ease on Brandon Marsh‘s single, who followed with a steal of his own. After he advanced on a wild pitch, a RBI single from the birthday boy, Trea Turner, drove Marsh in, and if not for a sharp line drive that turned into an inning-ending unassisted double play, they likely would have added on.
When the bats aren’t booming, this is the style of play that gets the job done. Pushing across runs at any cost, being willing to sacrifice your results for the betterment of the team, is a winning formula – always has been.
Nick’s aggression pays off
Nick Castellanos is known as a free swinger, but ever since the calendar flipped to June, he’s ticked that up a bit more. Through May, he was swinging at the first pitch at a 52.9% rate – a little higher than he did last season. Since June 1, that has jumped up to 62.9%! That might seem like a carefree way to approach an at-bat, but Nick has always been someone who thrives swinging early and often, and this past month has been no different.
14 of his 17 hardest hit balls this season have come since the calendar turned to the sixth month, including his 105.8 MPH home run in the fifth inning tonight. In the first 58 games of the year, 19 of his 63 hits were for extra bases, or 30.2% of them. Since June, try 51.9% (14 of 27). He normally heats up in month three of the season, but this is something else. He’s on fire at a time when his team desperately needed it.
Jackson Merrill floated
I have no commentary on this play, other than the entire stadium acknowledged how great it was. It might not be a Phillies highlight, but it’s one of the best catches I have ever seen in person. I thought he froze in the air for a moment to secure the home run robbery.
Tomorrow night, the Phillies send left-hander Cristopher Sánchez (6-2, 2.79 ERA) to the mound with a chance to win the series. Fireworks and thunderstorms are scheduled for tomorrow as well. Will another win be? You’ll have to wait and see.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
