Rob Thomson must have breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday night when Korey Lee’s single hit past Bryce Harper into right field in the eighth inning. This hit marked the end of Phillies’ Zack Wheeler’s impressive no-hit bid, a challenging situation for Thomson as a manager who has to balance the immediate game and the long-term goals of the team.
Wheeler’s dominant performance began with a 10-pitch walk from Nicky Lopez but he went on to retire the next 13 batters without allowing a ball to leave the infield. Until the eighth inning, his only other baserunner was a hit batsman in the fifth. However, at 101 pitches, consecutive single-digit innings were unlikely for Wheeler. Coincidentally, last June 8, Wheeler lost a no-hit bid in the same inning against the Tigers.
In the end, the Phillies secured a 9-5 victory with three runs in the second and two runs each in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. The Chicago White Sox rallied in the ninth, scoring all five of their runs off Ricardo Pinto, but the Phillies held on for the win. Thomson faced difficult decisions throughout the week due to the exceptional performances of his starting pitchers. Ranger Suarez threw a shutout on Tuesday and Spencer Turnbull carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning on Friday.
These extraordinary pitching performances raise an important consideration – the strain on pitchers’ arms. All those pitches add up, and history has shown that throwing a high number of pitches in a no-hit bid can sometimes have long-term consequences. Michael Lorenzen, for example, threw 124 pitches in his no-hitter last August but struggled with an 8.01 ERA for the remainder of the season. Similarly, Johan Santana was never the same after his 134-pitch no-hitter. While it doesn’t always translate to long-term difficulties, it is crucial to manage the workload of pitchers like Wheeler, who have shouldered significant responsibilities over the past five years.
The Phillies’ rotation as a whole has been exceptional this season, as showcased in their last five starts:
- Zack Wheeler: 7⅓ IP, 1 H, 0 R, 8 K
- Spencer Turnbull: 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R
- Cristopher Sanchez: 6 IP, 0 ER, 10 K
- Ranger Suarez: 9 IP, 0 R, 8 K
- Aaron Nola: 7⅓ IP, 1 R, 9 K
With a dominant pitching staff and a recent winning streak, the Phillies continue to build momentum. After sweeping the National League-worst Rockies, they have outscored the American League-worst White Sox 16-5 in back-to-back wins. The Phillies currently boast a 13-8 record, having won five straight games and eight of their last 10.
However, the White Sox themselves present a unique challenge. Not only do they have a lackluster budget, but they have also depleted their roster of experienced players without replenishing it with young talent. Even with the absence of the injured Luis Robert Jr., they only have Eloy Jimenez as a potential regular player for a strong team, but his own career has been marred by injuries.
Nonetheless, the Phillies have taken advantage of the opportunity to face baseball’s weakest teams, executing their strategy of taking early leads and overcoming clubs destined for over 100 losses. This approach was evident in Wheeler’s performance, as he received ample run support compared to his previous starts.
On the offensive side, the Phillies had standout performances from Brandon Marsh, Nick Castellanos, and Johan Rojas. Castellanos, who had struggled in his previous 16 at-bats, had an impressive night with a triple, two well-struck singles, and a walk. Rojas continued his productive run at the plate, hitting 11-for-27 (.385) over the last nine games with two doubles, two walks, and four stolen bases. Trea Turner, known for his speed, also contributed with two hits, including a two-run double.
In conclusion, the Phillies’ strong rotation and their ability to capitalize on the weaknesses of weaker teams have positioned them well in the early stages of the season. With momentum on their side, the Phillies look to extend their winning streak with Aaron Nola on the mound in the upcoming game.