Final Score: Phillies 4, Diamondbacks 0
The Phillies won their ninth straight game, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-0 on Saturday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. Zack Wheeler threw six shutout innings, Bryson Stott homered for the fourth time in his last eight games and the Phillies held an opponent scoreless for the fifth time this season.
The current nine-game streak is tied for the team’s longest winning streak since July 29 – August 6, 2011. The franchise record for the longest winning streak stands at 13, which last happened in 1991.
Dad Strength x2
Saturday was Wheeler’s first start since his wife Dominique gave birth to their second child, a daughter named Bambi. After his son Wesley was born in 2020, Wheeler threw seven innings of one-run ball in his Phillies debut against the Marlins.
Wheeler threw six shutout innings and struck out eight Arizona hitters this time around. His only troublesome frame came in the second when David Peralta hit his third-career double against Wheeler. He was able to strand Peralta at second by getting Alek Thomas to fly out and Geraldo Perdomo to strike out.
Second Baseman, Matt Vierling?
The Phillies are a bit short on infielders with Jean Segura, Nick Maton and Johan Camargo all on the 10-day injured list. Matt Vierling did play some first base last season, but it was a bit surprising to see him penciled in as the starting second baseman. Interim manager Rob Thomson told reporters on Saturday that he wanted to give Didi Gregorius a day off. Saturday seemed like a good time to do it with the left hander Madison Bumgarner starting for the Diamondbacks.
It was relatively stress free day for Vierling over at second. His only hiccup came on a wild throw to second on a potential double play ball, but it didn’t matter much since the runner did not advance to second and Vierling was unlikely to get the runner out anyway. Oddly enough, Vierling made the final out of the game on an easy 4-3 putout.
With the team short on infield depth and with two other center fielders on the roster in Odúbel Herrera and Mickey Moniak, it would not be surprising if the Phillies use Vierling in a super-utility role. If he’s up for it — and he can play the positions Thomson puts him at — then why not?
Shibe Vintage Sports Notes
- Thomson said after the game that Corey Knebel’s shoulder tightened up in the bullpen as he was warming up in the eighth inning. When the Phillies scored their fourth run, Thomson felt comfortable shutting him down. They’ll revaluate Knebel tomorrow.
- Per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the Phillies traded Triple A reliever Michael Mariot to the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations.
- The Phillies (30-29) are above .500 for the first time since April 12 when the team was 3-2.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Sunday, June 12 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park
- 1:35 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Radio: Sportsradio 94 WIP
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