Takeaways after Zack Wheeler throws complete game shutout as Phillies sweep Brewers

The last time the Philadelphia Phillies swept a series, it was the opening of the 2021 season. They’ve changed that as Zack Wheeler throws a gem in a 2-0 win to sweep the Milwaukee Brewers in four games.

The Phillies lead the National League East at 17-15. They play the next nine games on the road against Atlanta, Washington and Toronto and that will be a test. The Phillies are 80-123 on the road since the start of 2018.

Here’s three takeaways:

Wheeler’s gem

Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff was spectacular. The right-hander went 6 2/3 innings and allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out 11. Fortunately, as good as Woodruff was, Wheeler was even better. He pitched a three-hit shutout in the Phillies’ win.

Wheeler was cruising through the Brewers’ lineup. He allowed just one hit through the first eight innings, and that runner was quickly erased on a nice play by Rhys Hoskins, who snagged a line drive, and doubled the runner off second.

For a second, it looked like manager Joe Girardi was going to take Wheeler out of the game with one out left to go in the ninth inning, but he gave his pitcher a chance to finish things off. And Wheeler did not disappoint. He got Daniel Vogelbach to foul out, and sent the crowd home happy.

Wheeler went the distance for his firs career complete-game shutout. He allowed just three hits – a double in the third and two singles in the ninth – walked none and struck out eight.

Deciding blast

The Phillies’ first hit of the day was a single by Odubel Herrera in the second inning. After that, they did not have another base runner until Bohm’s home run with one out in the seventh.

Bohm hit Woodruff’s 100th pitch into the right-field seats. It was a 2-2 fastball, 96.7 mph. The previous pitch was a slider that home plate umpire Quinn Walcott called a strike. Bohm did not like the call, but he quickly settled in and delivered the game’s biggest hit. Bohm had been zero for his previous seven before the homer and just five-for-25 on the homestand.

The Phils added to their lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Andrew McCutchen singled with two outs, Brad Miller walked, and Rhys Hoskins doubled against reliever Angel Perdomo.

4 game sweep

The win gave the Phillies a four-game sweep of the Brewers. All four of the victories were decided by one or two runs. The Phillies never trailed in the series, which was huge for a lot of reasons, including keeping Devin Williams and Josh Hader, the Brewers’ two late-innings bullpen weapons, out of the game.

Up next

The 17-15 Phillies head to Atlanta to face the 14-16 Braves Friday night with Zach Eflin on the bump.