Zack Wheeler had retired 18-straight hitters Thursday afternoon before allowing a pair of singles with one out in the ninth inning. He was just two outs from finishing a 2-0 win over Milwaukee, but his pitch count was already north of 100, and trouble felt near.
The Phillies had a decision to make. Do they let Wheeler finish his gem or insert Hector Neris, who was warmed in the bullpen. They leaned on Wheeler, and he retired the next two batters, finished a three-hit shutout, and completed a four-game sweep of the Brewers.
Wheeler struck out eight, allowed three hits, and walked none. He was superb. He pushed the Phils two-games over .500, and they fly to Atlanta for Friday’s series opener with momentum.
The right-hander’s fastball topped out at 98.9 mph, and he used his slider for five of his strikeouts.
His lone hit allowed before the ninth inning was a double in the third inning. That hitter, Billy McKinney, was promptly retired on a double play as Wheeler faced the minimum amount of batters through eight innings.
Alec Bohm homered in the seventh inning, giving the Phillies their first hit since the second inning. Brandon Woodruff retired 14-straight hitters before Bohm drove his 99th pitch to right field. The homer was all Wheeler needed, but Rhys Hoskins provided him some added comfort in the eighth with an RBI double to left. With Wheeler pitching, it was more than enough.
The Phillies played without Bryce Harper, who missed his fourth straight game with a wrist contusion, and Jean Segura, who remains on a rehab assignment in triple A. Both players could return to the lineup on Friday in Atlanta.
Wheeler provided needed rest for the bullpen, too, as nine relievers appeared in the first three games of the series. Archie Bradley said before the game that he is aiming to return on May 18 when the team returns from a nine-game road trip.
