Kyle Schwarber started off with a home run, and Zack Wheeler delivered eight scoreless innings as the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Seattle Mariners 6-0 on Sunday.
In the eighth inning, Bryson Stott, Bryce Harper, and Alec Bohm each hit a home run, contributing to a five-run rally that provided Philadelphia with a comfortable lead. Schwarber added a double and a single for a three-hit performance, helping the Phillies end their six-game losing streak.
Wheeler (11-5) allowed only two hits and struck out nine, marking his longest outing of the season. He permitted just one baserunner past first base, with Cal Raleigh hitting a double off the wall in the first inning.
“I knew we needed a win today, so I had that mindset, and I was able to deliver,” Wheeler said. “I think we got quicker outs, which allowed me to go deeper into the game, and that’s what we needed
Wheeler outperformed Seattle’s Logan Gilbert in a matchup of All-Star pitchers. Gilbert (6-8) struggled from the start, giving up the leadoff homer to Schwarber on his third pitch of the game—a fastball right down the middle.
It was Schwarber’s 41st career leadoff homer and his 10th of the season.
Gilbert allowed four hits and struck out seven without issuing a walk. He threw 98 pitches over six innings, including 15 to Nick Castellanos in the second inning, the longest at-bat in the majors this season. Castellanos fouled off six straight pitches before grounding out to third base.
“I felt good today, but it would have been nice to finish the series with a win and a sweep,” Gilbert said. “It’s tough losing today, especially against such a good team. It was a good series to win, but losing this game is disappointing.”
Harper also singled in the fourth inning to reach 3,000 career total bases, becoming the 42nd player in history and the 12th left-handed hitter to achieve this milestone before turning 32, according to the Phillies.
