The Zack Wheeler Show keeps getting better
PHILADELPHIA – Zack Wheeler continues to amaze.
The ace’s incredible month of June came to an end with a third-consecutive outing without allowing an earned run. He mowed down the San Diego Padres order in a 4-0 win to secure the Phillies’ 50th win of the year.
His eight innings pitched were a season high. His season ERA is down to 2.27. He is a virtual lock to make the National League All-Star team in his hometown of Atlanta.
His month of June might be the best of his career. It’s the first time he has allowed two earned runs in a month where he has thrown at least 30 innings. It’s the first time a Phillies pitcher has done that since Cliff Lee allowed only one earned run in 42 innings pitched in June 2011.
His ERA in June? 0.58. Does Wheeler think this is the best month of his career?
“I have no idea,” Wheeler shrugged.
Wheeler is short on words. Maybe it’s hard to explain greatness, especially if it looks the same every time out.
Phillies fans have gotten used to this. Spoiled may be the right word. He’s been that guy since the Phillies signed him prior to the 2020 season. He oddly became a ground ball pitcher in that first year, was robbed of the Cy Young in his second, went on an all-time playoff run in year three and has established himself as one of the best starters of his era.
He is that TV show you’ve binged watched eight times. It’s the same plot, same ending every time, but your enjoyment of it doesn’t diminish with each viewing.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever had a pitcher, whether I’m coaching or managing, that has had a month like that,” manager Rob Thomson said. “He was pretty much dominant the whole month.”
The walks have irked Wheeler in his recent outings. He allowed three in each of his past two starts. His first three ball count came in the eighth inning in his second to last at-bat against Manny Machado. His last pitch, a high fastball to get Jackson Merrill swinging on strikes, clocked in at 96.4 mph.
On the most humid night of the year in Philadelphia, Wheeler didn’t break a sweat.
“I was just trying to let it go,” Wheeler said.
“What can you say about him? It’s just been phenomenal the entire month,” Thomson said.
Wheeler walked off the mound with fireworks set off in the distance.
The Padres, operating with a short bullpen, tried to get as much out of knuckleballer Matt Waldron as they could. His command was terrible. He could not finish five innings. He walked six and threw 104 pitches, 57 for strikes. Waldron was also charged with three wild pitches.
His line would have looked a lot worse if it wasn’t for an incredible leaping catch by Merrill, robbing Max Kepler of a three-run home run. It’s the second time this season that Kepler was robbed of a three-run home run. The first came on May 29, when the Braves’ Michael Harris II caught a Kepler fly ball in the bushes to keep three off the board.
Bryson Stott scored from second on a Chase Utley-esque play in the fourth. No. 9 batter Brandon Marsh hit a one-hopper to first. He beat out a throw to the pitcher. With the pitcher’s back turned, Stott hustled home to easily score the second run of the game.
Nick Castellanos, with his son Liam sitting in the front seats, crushed a first-pitch hanging knuckleball for a solo home run in the fifth inning to make it 4-0. Castellanos ended his night chasing down his younger son Otto on the tarp during the fireworks.