Final Score: Phillies 2, Cardinals 1
Zack Wheeler dealt, Rhys Hoskins homered twice and the Philadelphia Phillies started their four-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals with a much-needed win.
It was a pitcher’s duel between Wheeler and Adam Wainwright the whole way through, but the Phillies, led by Hoskins’ efforts, came out on top.
They improve to 11-11 on the season, and are a half-game back of the New York Mets for first place in the NL East.
Top Plays
- The first few innings of this game moved very quickly. J.T. Realmuto led off the second inning with a base hit, but was erased when Didi Gregorius grounded into a double play.
- Brad Miller led off the fourth inning with a single, but was also erased on a double play when Rhys Hoskins hit a rocket right to Nolan Arenado at third base.
- Meanwile, Wheeler was dealing. He allowed no baserunners until the fifth inning, when Paul DeJong singled to right field.
- The Phillies finally got on the board in the top of the seventh, when Rhys Hoskins crushed a home run to left field to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead.
- Hoskins wasn’t done there. He got another chance against Wainwright in the top of the ninth, and he did not waste it. His second home run of the night gave the Phillies a 2-0 lead.
- Wheeler was brilliant through eight, and was lifted after walking Matt Carpenter to start the ninth. Hector Neris came in and allowed a run after Tommy Edman reached on a hit and Carpenter scored on a groundout to make it 2-1.
- Neris proceeded to retire the side, and the Phillies escaped with the victory.
Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance
Zack Wheeler: 8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO, 114 pitches
This was a much-needded outing for Wheeler, who had a 5.40 ERA over his previous three starts. He was as sharp as he was his first start of the season, and looked the part of the Phillies co-ace. The Phillies have not gotten much production from the back of the rotation, so getting outings like this out of Wheeler is imperative for their success.
Adam Wainwright: 9 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO, 107 pitches
It was vintage Wainwright on Monday night, as the 39-year-old pitched a complete game in the loss. Outside of the two home runs by Hoskins, Wainwright was dominant, and looked the part against an otherworldy Wheeler.
Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Rhys Hoskins
Wheeler was brilliant, but the Phillies would not have won this game without Hoskins. The power hitter now leads the majors with eight home runs, six of which have come in the last six games. He is on fire, and helped carry the Phillies to a victory on Monday night.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Tuesday, April 27 vs. St. Louis Cardinals at 7:45 pm ET
- Busch Stadium
- NBC Sports Philadelphia
- 94 WIP
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