(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) Zack Wheeler delivered a dominant performance over seven innings, and Bryce Harper connected for a home run against Pittsburgh’s ace, Paul Skenes, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 6–0 shutout of the Pirates on Sunday and completing a three-game sweep.
Wheeler improved to 3-0, surrendering just four hits while striking out eight and issuing one walk. Since returning from the injured list following surgery to remove a blood clot from his upper right arm, he now owns a 1.99 ERA across six starts.
Jonathan Bowlan and Tanner Banks each pitched a scoreless inning to preserve the five-hitter.
Harper launched his 12th homer of the season to start the sixth inning, extending the Phillies’ lead to 3-0. Later in the frame, Bryson Stott smashed a two-run double off reliever Isaac Mattson both runs were charged to Skenes (6-3), who was pulled after Alec Bohm singled and Brandon Marsh doubled.
With the win, Philadelphia (24-23) has taken seven of its last eight games and moved above .500 for the first time since April 7. The Phillies were 8-18 on April 25 when Wheeler was activated; they’ve gone 16-5 since his return.
Skenes matched a career high by allowing five runs over five-plus innings. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner gave up six hits, struck out seven, and walked one. His career-best scoreless streak ended at 20 innings when the Phillies scored twice in the fifth: Justin Crawford drove in a run on a groundout, and Trea Turner added an RBI single.
Pittsburgh has dropped four of its last five games.
Up next:
-
Phillies: Rookie right-hander Andrew Painter (1-4, 6.21 ERA) starts Monday at home against Cincinnati’s lefty Nick Lodolo (0-1, 8.68 ERA) to begin a three-game series.
-
Pirates: Following an off day Monday, they open a three-game set Tuesday in St. Louis, sending righty Mitch Keller (4-2, 3.59) against left-hander Matthew Liberatore (2-2, 4.20).
Leave a Reply