Categories: 2019 Postgame Recaps

Phillies offensive woes continue as Wheeler, Mets take the division lead

Zach Eflin has struggled in recent starts. (Kevin French/Icon Sportswire)

The Philadelphia Phillies came into Tuesday night’s game after having been chewed out by starting pitcher Jake Arrieta regarding their performance last night. One would assume a fire would’ve been lit. Instead, it appears that fire was out before the game even started.

The Phillies lost in a blowout (and a shutout), 9-0, to the New York Mets. This gives the Mets the series win and leaves them one victory away from a sweep. For the Phillies, it’s their fifth loss in the last six games.

The game started with both opposing pitchers being worked by the hitters. Through the first two innings, Zach Eflin and Zack Wheeler had both thrown around 40 pitches. Eflin made Wheeler throw eight pitches in his first at-bat against him.

The first runs of the game came in the bottom of the second. With Wilson Ramos on first, Eflin threw what looked like a strike three to Luis Guillorme. It was deemed a ball. Guillorme singled in his at-bat, putting two men on for Wheeler. He proceeded to hit a double, scoring both the baserunners and putting the Mets up 2-0. The Mets would shortly add another run that inning when Cesar Hernandez let a ground ball slip right through his legs. It’s the second game in a row that he has committed an error.

From that point onward, it was clear Wheeler was in for a good night. Wheeler decided to go on a strikeout spree, at one point striking out seven in a row. The Phillies had five hits on the night, with J.T. Realmuto and Maikel Franco each having two each.

Wheeler continued to torment Eflin with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth, the first of his career. That gave Wheeler three RBIs for the night, as well as two hits. That would be Eflin’s last inning, as he ended up throwing 73 pitches:

The Mets were far from done on offense, however. Drew Anderson came in to relieve Eflin, and eventually found himself with the bases loaded against Todd Frazier. Frazier, who hit 40 home runs in 2016, had not yet hit one this year, but that soon changed:

Frazier’s grand slam doubled the Mets score and made it an 8-0 ballgame. The Mets later extended their lead to 9-0 thanks to a bases-loaded single by former Phillies catcher Wilson Ramos. The game got a little more intense in the bottom of the ninth, when Rhys Hoskins was plunked near the head by Jacob Rhame. Players and coaches briefly walked out from the dugout, and each team was issued a warning.

The Phillies now have a 14-inning scoreless streak dating back to the fourth inning of Monday’s game. With the loss, the Phillies fall to 12-11 on the season. Meanwhile, New York goes to 13-10, putting them first place in National League East.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Zach Eflin came into this game possessing a 6.92 ERA when pitching at Citi Field. Tonight’s game didn’t lower that number too much. While Eflin did fall victim to a few questionable calls, he still allowed the opposing pitcher to hit him left and right. Looking at his final line, Eflin pitched four innings, giving up four runs (three earned), while allowing four hits and one walk. He struck out three.
Zach Wheeler, meanwhile, had himself a game. See below.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Zach Wheeler

Zach Wheeler did it all tonight. He had seven consecutive strikeouts, and ended up having 11 on the night in seven innings. He gave up just five hits and did not walk a single batter, meaning he has gone about 70 innings against the Phillies without issuing a walk. In addition to his pitching, Wheeler accounted for three of the team’s blank runs thanks to a double and a home run.