Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler lead Phillies to much-needed win over Mariners
Final Score: Phillies 6, Mariners 0
A night after a crushing extra-inning loss to the Seattle Mariners, the Philadelphia Phillies needed their two best players — first baseman Bryce Harper and RHP Zack Wheeler — to be stoppers. They were, and it helped the Phillies to avoid a series sweep at T-Mobile Park, and to snap a six-game losing streak.
Wheeler limited the Mariners to just two hits over eight shutout innings, while fanning nine batters. It was quite the rebound for Wheeler, who allowed seven hits and seven earned runs against the New York Yankees last Monday. On the season, his ERA now sits at 2.77 across 136 2/3 innings pitched.
The Phillies needed Wheeler to pitch that well, because All-Star Logan Gilbert held the Phillies to just four hits and one run over six innings pitched. It wasn’t until after he departed the game that the Phillies offense did most of their damage.
Zack Wheeler, nasty brother.
— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) August 4, 2024
(@PitchingNinja) pic.twitter.com/tbMGn9xQD8
Meanwhile, Harper had a three-hit day, which included his first home run since July 27 and his 3,000th career base. It was an extremely welcome sign for Harper, who entered the day hitting just .117 with a .459 OPS since the All-Star Break.
For the Phillies, the win improves their record to 66-45, which remains the top mark in the National League despite their recent struggles. The Phillies will open up a three-game set in Los Angeles Monday evening against the Dodgers, the team with the NL’s second-best record at 65-47.
Highlights
- Kyle Schwarber led the game off with a solo home run off of Logan Gilbert, a 428-foot blast:
Boy did the Phillies need this from Kyle Schwarber
— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) August 4, 2024pic.twitter.com/AsXYBxUoZL
- With his single in the top of the fourth inning, Harper reached 3,000 total bases in his career. According to the Phillies, Harper is just the 42nd player to reach 3,000 career bases before his 32nd birthday (Harper will turn 32 in October).
- After Mariners center fielder Victor Robles made a pair of impressive catches in the top of the seventh, Brandon Marsh countered with, well, an even more interesting one to take away extra bases from Jorge Polanco in the home half of the frame:
The dog catcher
— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) August 4, 2024
pic.twitter.com/uA12At5hb0
- Bryson Stott led off the top of the eighth inning with a 404-foot home run off of Yimi García, giving the Phillies what felt like a much-needed insurance run:
- Harper crushed a hanging slider from Tayler Saucedo later in the inning, a two-run shot:
You’re left to conclude that Bryce Harper is about to go on a heater.
— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) August 4, 2024pic.twitter.com/EC9UIlA5ev
- Bohm followed up Harper’s homer with a no-doubt-about-it shot of his own:
Randy Arozarena just turned to watch Alec Bohm’s blast sail out of the park.
— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) August 4, 2024pic.twitter.com/E7dSz1a8cn
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Monday, Aug. 5 @ Dodgers at 10:10 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia, MLB Network (out of market only)
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
- Spanish Radio: WTTM 1680
MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION
- Phillies 2024 Walk-Up Songs
- John Middleton On Phillies’ Deadline: ‘Now It’s Up To The Players’
- Gregory Soto’s First Comments With O’s Offer Insight Into Why The Phillies Traded Him
- Trea Turner Explains Why He Doesn’t Believe Phillies Need A Team Meeting
- Bryce Harper, Phillies Have To ‘Cowboy Up’ After Season-Worst Stretch
- Dave Dombrowski On Trade Deadline: ‘We Really Like What We’ve Done’
- New Phillie Carlos Estévez Ready To Add To ‘Beautiful Beach That These Guys Have Built’
- Bryce Harper, Phillies Toast Seranthony Domínguez: ‘Pretty Special What He Did For Us’
- This Local Draft Pick Held Phillies History In His Hand In 2022. Now He Hopes To Be A Part Of It.
- Phillies 2024 Giveaway Schedule