After taking two of three from the Braves in Atlanta over the weekend, thanks to an offensive explosion on Friday night and a superb outing from Ranger Suárez on Sunday, the Phillies returned home to open a six-game homestand. They hosted the San Diego Padres from Monday through Wednesday and will welcome the Cincinnati Reds for a three-game series starting Friday at Citizens Bank Park.
For Monday’s opener against the Padres, the Phillies handed the ball to Zack Wheeler, who has been nothing short of spectacular for the Fightin Phils this season. In Monday’s contest, Wheeler was pitching not just for his eighth win of the year, but also for the team’s 50th victory. He delivered on all fronts, showcasing pure brilliance and continuing to prove he’s the Phillies’ unquestioned ace, as well as a legitimate candidate to start the All-Star Game for the National League on July 15.
Wheeler went a season-high eight innings, allowing no runs and no walks while striking out 10 over 107 pitches. In five starts during June, he posted a 2-1 record with a remarkable 0.58 ERA. His season ERA now sits at 2.27, eighth best in the majors, and his 136 strikeouts rank third.
What Wheeler accomplished in June was simply remarkable, and his manager had high praise for the Georgia native.
“I don’t think I’ve had a pitcher that, whether I’m coaching or managing, that has had a month like that,” said Rob Thomson. “What can you say about him? It’s just been phenomenal the entire month.”
Offensively, the Phillies pushed across four runs on six hits—more than enough to back Wheeler’s effort. Nick Castellanos homered in the fifth, his 10th of the season, as the Phillies rolled to a 4-0 victory.
Despite Wheeler’s remarkable outing and the Phillies’ victory, perhaps the biggest storyline of the night was the return of No. 3, Bryce Harper. He was back in the lineup for his first game since June 5 after being activated from the IL, where he’d been sidelined with right wrist inflammation. Harper started at first base and hit third, finishing 0-for-2 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Still, for Phillies fans, simply seeing Harper back in the lineup was a welcome sight and reason for optimism as the summer rolls on.
Tuesday night’s game was washed out by heavy rain, setting the stage for an old-fashioned doubleheader on Wednesday.
Rookie Mick Abel took the mound for the Phillies in the first game, but almost everything that could go wrong did. He was pulled after just 1.2 innings, tagged for five earned runs that raised his season ERA to 5.04. The Padres scored five of their six runs in the second inning, including a bases-loaded double by Manny Machado that brought in three. While Abel allowed only two hits, the bigger issue was his five walks—four of which eventually came around to score.
It was the kind of rough outing that put Abel in unfortunate company. As Paul Casella of MLB.com wrote on X, “Mick Abel is the 3rd Phillies pitcher in the last 30 seasons to allow 5+ walks and 5+ walks in less than 2 IP.”
Down 6-0, the Phillies began to mount a comeback that showed some life and promise. In the sixth inning, Kyle Schwarber homered to trim the deficit to five. They added two more in the seventh on an RBI triple by Edmundo Sosa, who later scored on a wild pitch to cut the Padres’ lead to 6-3. Brandon Marsh then singled home J.T. Realmuto in the ninth—Realmuto’s second run of the game—to make it 6-4. However, that was as far as the rally would go, as the Padres held on to secure a 6-4 win in the first game of the doubleheader.
Harper, in his second game back from the IL, went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
In the nightcap, the Phillies turned to left-hander Cristopher Sánchez in hopes of securing the series win. Sánchez entered with a 6-2 record and a 2.79 ERA, and in his last outing against the Astros, he was excellent — going six innings, allowing just one earned run, and striking out 11. However, despite his strong performance, the Phillies ultimately fell 2-1, with the loss charged to Orion Kerkering.
This time around, the Phillies’ offense gave Sánchez the support he needed, plating five runs to back his strong outing and secure a 5-1 victory in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader — clinching the series in the process. Sánchez delivered seven impressive innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out five. It marked his sixth consecutive start giving up two runs or fewer, and the 10th time this season he’s gone at least six innings while allowing no more than two earned runs.
Given the season Sánchez is putting together, it’s not unreasonable to think he could earn a spot in the All-Star Game. He’s certainly eager for the opportunity — and one could argue deservedly so. “I dream of being an All-Star every single year,” Sánchez said after the outing. He made the All-Star team last season as a replacement for Braves left-hander Chris Sale.
The full All-Star rosters will be announced on Sunday, July 6th.
Offensively, the Phillies racked up 10 hits, with six of them coming from Alec Bohm, Otto Kemp, and Max Kepler. Kepler contributed a two-run home run in the fourth — his 10th of the season — which also marked his first extra-base hit since June 16.
Marsh added a home run of his own an inning later.
With this series win against the Padres, the Phillies maintain a 2-game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East.
Jesús Luzardo (7-4, 4.06 ERA) is slated to start Friday in the opener of a three-game home series against the Reds.
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