Zack Wheeler delivered seven scoreless innings to secure his 100th career win as the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves 3-0 on Saturday night. Edmundo Sosa contributed with a home run, a double, and two RBIs, while Trea Turner also homered for the Phillies, who extended their lead over the Braves in the NL East to six games. The Phillies have won six of their last eight games.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson praised Wheeler, saying, “He was locked in tonight.”
In the seventh inning, Michael Harris II made an exceptional catch to rob Austin Hays of a home run for the Braves. Atlanta manager Brian Snitker called it “probably the catch of the year.”
Wheeler (13-6) struck out seven, walked none, and allowed just four hits, with 65 of his 96 pitches being strikes. The 34-year-old right-hander, a former No. 6 overall pick in the 2009 draft, was signed by the Phillies to a five-year, $118 million contract before the 2020 season.
Wheeler reflected on his milestone, saying, “It’s special. It’s been a long road. Hard work and just believing in myself and the teams I’ve been on. I just try to work hard, keep that going, and get wins.”
In March, Wheeler signed a three-year, $126 million extension that will keep him with the Phillies until 2027. He has secured 56 wins with Philadelphia, having previously played for the Mets from 2013 to 2019. Wheeler achieved his first career win against Atlanta during his debut on June 18, 2013. A Dallas, Ga. native, Wheeler is about 35 miles northwest of Atlanta.
Wheeler improved as the game progressed, retiring his last seven batters and leaving to a standing ovation from the 42,730-strong sellout crowd after a perfect seventh inning.
“I take pride in performing in big games and moments,” Wheeler said. “The crowd was electric tonight, and I really felt it.”
Sosa provided Wheeler with all the run support he needed by hitting a towering 450-foot home run off Max Fried (8-8) to lead off the third inning.
“Contributing so early and giving us a head start felt really good,” Sosa said through an interpreter.
Turner hit a 95-mph fastball from Fried into the left field seats in the sixth inning, making the score 2-0. Sosa added a double in the seventh that scored Weston Wilson, extending Philadelphia’s lead to three runs.
Jeff Hoffman struck out two in a scoreless eighth inning, and Carlos Estévez earned his 23rd save in 27 attempts, securing the shutout and his third save in four chances since joining the Phillies on July 27.
The lead could have been even larger if not for Michael Harris II’s incredible catch to rob Austin Hays of a home run in the seventh inning. Harris leaped at the wall, snagging the ball over his right shoulder just as he collided with the railing separating the bullpen from the field. His momentum nearly flipped him over the wall, but he managed to pull himself back and held his glove aloft to signal the catch.
“It landed perfectly in my glove, and when I saw the Phillies pitchers’ reactions, I knew it was a great catch,” Harris said. “It was pretty cool to make that play.”
Hays, in disbelief, took off his helmet and raised it in admiration as he approached second base.
“That’s pure talent and instinct,” Snitker said. “You can’t teach that. He’s must-see TV.”
Fried allowed three runs on five hits, with four strikeouts and four walks over seven innings.
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