PHILADELPHIA — Zack Wheeler pitched seven scoreless innings for his 100th career win, Edmundo Sosa hit a home run, a double and scored two runs and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves 3-0 on Saturday night.
Trea Turner also hit a home run for Philadelphia, which leads the NL East and extends its lead over the Braves in the division to six games. The Phillies have won six of eight games.
“He was all in tonight,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said of Wheeler.
Michael Harris II robbed Austin Hays of a home run with an outstanding, spectacular catch in the seventh inning for the Braves.
“This is probably the catch of the year,” said Atlanta manager Brian Snitker.
Wheeler (13-6) had seven strikeouts, no walks and allowed four hits. The 34-year-old right-hander threw 65 of his 96 pitches as strikeouts. The Phillies signed the former No. 6 pick in the 2009 draft to a five-year, $118 million contract before the 2020 season.
“It's special,” Wheeler said of his 100th win. “It's been a long road. Hard work and just believing in myself and the teams I've played on. I just try to work hard and keep doing that and just win.”
In March of last year, he signed a three-year, $126 million contract extension that keeps him in Philadelphia through 2027. He has won 56 games with the Phillies after playing for the Mets from 2013 to 2019. His first career win came in his debut on June 18, 2013, against Atlanta. Wheeler is from Dallas, Georgia, which is about 35 miles northwest of Atlanta.
Wheeler got better and better as the game went on, striking out his final seven batters and leaving the stadium after a 1-2-3 seventh inning to thunderous applause from the sold-out crowd of 42,730.
“I take pride in big games and big moments,” he said. “The crowd was electric tonight and I felt it.”
With a huge 450-foot shot against Max Fried (8-8), Sosa gave Wheeler the necessary lead at the beginning of the third round.
“It was a very good feeling to contribute so early and get a head start,” Sosa said through an interpreter.
Turner hit a 3-2, 95 mph fastball from Fried into the left-field seats in the sixth inning to make it 2-0, and Sosa's double an inning later brought Weston Wilson home and extended Philadelphia's lead to three runs.
Jeff Hoffman managed two strikeouts in the scoreless eighth inning and Carlos Estévez completed the shutout with his 23rd save in 27 attempts and third in four chances since being signed by the Phillies on July 27.
The lead could have been even bigger if Harris hadn't intercepted Hays' hit to center at the start of the seventh inning.
He leapt against the wall and caught the ball over his right shoulder just as it hit the railing that separated Philadelphia's bullpen from the field. His momentum nearly sent him over the wall and heading horizontal to the field, but he pulled himself back up and then held his glove high in the air to signal the catch.
“It hit right into my net and when I came back I saw the Phillies pitchers in awe,” Harris said. “That's when I really knew I caught it. It was pretty cool to make that catch.”
Just before reaching second base, an incredulous Hays took off his helmet and held it up in the air in admiration.
“Just the feel and the God-given talent,” Snitker said of the ability to catch the ball. “It's not something you learn. It's a must-see on TV.”
Fried allowed three runs on five hits with four strikeouts and four walks in seven innings.
TRAINING ROOM
Phillies: 3B Alec Bohm (left) was sidelined for the second straight day after being injured while swinging the bat in the series opener on Thursday. Thomson said before the game that Bohm's treatment was progressing. … After the game, Philadelphia activated left-handed reliever José Alvarado from the restricted list. He missed the last six games for personal reasons. To make room for Alvarado, RHP Yunior Marte was sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Next
The teams conclude their four-game series on Sunday night when Braves RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (5-6, 3.72) faces Philadelphia RHP Aaron Nola (12-6, 3.30).
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