Harrison Bader robbed a home run Sunday afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Harrison Bader robbed a home run, Zack Wheeler was relatively effective and the bullpen looked dominant as the Phillies defeated the Texas Rangers to complete a weekend sweep.
Joc Pederson — who once pranked Phillies fans with an Instagram post that made it look like he was signing with the team in free agency — took Wheeler deep for a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning:
Joc Pederson homers off Zack Wheeler for an early @Rangers lead! pic.twitter.com/u7iUtHvpyf
The Phillies got on the board against veteran lefty Patrick Corbin in the top of the fourth inning, with Bryce Harper driving in Trea Turner, who scored from first base on the RBI double:
Bryce Harper drives in Trea Turner to get the Phillies on the board! 💨
(Via @aokstott)
pic.twitter.com/8EHYBT53lz
In the top of the fifth inning, Edmundo Sosa continued his season-long campaign of mashing lefties, as the third baseman hit a 403-foot solo shot to tie the game:
Edmundo Sosa absolutely wasted this one! 💣
pic.twitter.com/CDubu1QQQ7
Later that inning, Weston Wilson got in on the fun with an RBI single that scored Bryson Stott to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead:
This was a quality piece of hitting from Weston Wilson.
(Via @aokstott)
pic.twitter.com/Q5XuswOVvy
When Corey Seager crushed a Wheeler pitch to deep right-center field in the bottom of the fifth inning, it looked like the Phillies' lead would be short-lived. Instead, former Gold Glover Bader formally introduced himself as a defender to Phillies fans:
Harrison Bader takes away a home run from Corey Seager! 🚫💣
(Via @aokstott)
pic.twitter.com/ZYHnMSTUBb
Wheeler departed after five innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs. He did strike out seven, but also walked three batters and seemed to yank more pitches glove side than he normally does. 51 of Wheeler's 83 pitches were strikes:
Zack Wheeler hasn’t been his typical self today, but these splitters were a thing of beauty!
(Via @PitchingNinja)
pic.twitter.com/WB2L61Ty39
There were plenty of eyes on Wheeler Sunday because this start had been pushed back two days after the All-Star righty experienced shoulder soreness following his last start. While the imaging on the shoulder came back clean, it was a concerning development for a 35-year-old power pitcher that posted a 4.58 ERA over his first three starts following the All-Star Break. Wheeler was better Sunday than he had been in his three prior starts, but still didn't seem to be his usual self. It will be interesting to see how the Phillies proceed with him in the coming days and weeks.
A Brandon Marsh sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning gave the Phillies an insurance run, which was more than enough as Rob Thomson's suddenly-dominant bullpen got scoreless innings from Tanner Banks, Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering and Jhoan Duran to close out the 68th win of the season.
The Phillies will open up a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark Monday evening.
