Zack Wheeler reached a milestone in his career by securing his 100th victory as he pitched seven scoreless innings, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-0 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night. Edmundo Sosa played a crucial role in the victory, hitting a home run, a double, and driving in two runs. Trea Turner also contributed to the win by hitting a home run for the NL East-leading Phillies, extending their division lead to six games over the Braves. The win marked the Phillies’ sixth victory in their last eight games.
Wheeler, with a record of 13-6, struck out seven batters, walked none, and allowed only four hits during the game. The right-hander, who signed a lucrative deal with the Phillies in 2020, threw 65 of his 96 pitches for strikes. Sosa provided Wheeler with the necessary cushion by hitting a massive 450-foot home run off Max Fried to start the third inning. Turner added to the lead with a home run in the sixth inning, while Sosa’s double in the following inning drove in another run for Philadelphia.
In a standout moment of the game, Michael Harris II of the Braves made an incredible catch, robbing Austin Hays of a home run in the seventh inning. Despite a stellar defensive effort, the Braves were unable to overcome the Phillies’ lead. Fried, who pitched for the Braves, gave up three runs on five hits in seven innings.
Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez ensured the shutout for the Phillies by pitching scoreless innings in relief. Estévez, who has been a valuable addition to the team since his acquisition in July, secured his 23rd save of the season. The Phillies’ victory could have been even more significant if not for Harris’ remarkable catch in the seventh inning.
In injury updates, Phillies’ third baseman Alec Bohm was sidelined for the second consecutive game due to a left-hand injury sustained during Thursday’s game. Manager Rob Thomson mentioned that Bohm is undergoing treatment and making progress. The Phillies and Braves are set to conclude their four-game series on Sunday night, with Spencer Schwellenbach pitching for the Braves and Aaron Nola taking the mound for the Phillies.
