05/27/23 06:53:00
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05/27 18:51 CDT Wheeler strikes out 12 as Philadelphia Phillies top Atlanta
Braves 2-1
Wheeler strikes out 12 as Philadelphia Phillies top Atlanta Braves 2-1
By BILL TROCCHI
Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) --- Zack Wheeler struck out 12 in eight shutout innings, and the
Philadelphia Phillies beat Charlie Morton and the Atlanta Braves 2-1 on
Saturday.
Wheeler (4-4) allowed three hits, walked one and hit a batter in his first win
since April 29. The right-hander went 0-3 with a 4.44 ERA in four previous May
starts.
Wheeler said manager Rob Thomson asked him how he was feeling after the seventh.
"(Thomson) told me if I got the first two guys in the eighth, I would get a
chance to get through it," said Wheeler, who then struck out the first two
batters before retiring Matt Olson on a bouncer to first. "I worked really hard
this past bullpen working up and hitting my spots."
Wheeler felt it was his best outing of the season.
"That was a very well-pitched game against us," Braves manager Brian Snitker
said. "I felt like he probably could've thrown out there all day long."
Philadelphia scored two runs in the fifth against Morton (5-5). Bryson Stott
drove in Brandon Marsh with a sacrifice fly, and Trea Turner added a
run-scoring double.
"When we got those two runs, we knew that was big," Turner said. "Charlie is
really good and we knew it would be tough."
Morton struck out nine in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed seven hits and walked four.
Sean Murphy homered against Philadelphia closer Craig Kimbrel with one out in
the ninth. But Kimbrel then struck out Marcell Ozuna and Eddie Rosario.
It was Kimbrel's seventh save of the season and No. 401 for his career.
Murphy had two of Atlanta's four hits. The Braves went 0 for 4 with runners in
scoring position.
Turner, who has struggled in his first season in Philadelphia, had two hits and
stole a base. Kody Clemens had two hits and scored a run.
The Phillies went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position and left 12 runners
on base.
Philadelphia's Alec Bohm made the game's top defensive play in the third. The
third baseman made a diving stop of an Ozuna grounder with a runner on second,
and threw Ozuna out from his knees. Wheeler got Rosario to pop out to end the
inning.
"That was a huge play," Thomson said. "He had the presence to stay down and
throw because he knew he had the time. That was a big play for us."
?SON OF PUDGE' JOINS BRAVES
The Braves recalled right-hander Dereck Rodriguez, son of Hall of Fame catcher
Ivan Rodriguez, and sent left-hander Dylan Dodd to Triple-A Gwinnett. Rodriguez
was claimed off waivers on May 15 and sent to Triple-A, where he made two
relief appearances. Rodriguez will pitch out of the Braves' bullpen.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: LHP Jos Alvarado was scheduled to throw a bullpen session but threw
off flat ground instead after feeling stiffness. Thomson did not feel it was a
setback. Alvarado, who had five saves in 14 appearances before going on the
injured list on May 8, is expected to return mid-June.
Braves: Left-handed reliever Dylan Lee has not started a throwing program since
being placed on the IL on May 17 with shoulder inflammation.
WORTH NOTING
The home run allowed by Kimbrel was the fifth he has given up in 20 innings
this season. ... Braves CF Michael Harris II, who has battled multiple injuries
this season, was hit by a pitch in the right leg below the knee in the third.
He got up quickly and headed to first base. ... The Braves are 1-3 in their
City Connect uniforms, which they wear for Saturday home games. ... Morton
joined Clayton Kershaw (6-4 in 10 starts) as the only two pitchers with at
least 10 starts this season to have a decision in every game.
UP NEXT
Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (4-2, 2.97 ERA) faces right-hander Dylan
Covey (0-0, 3.00 ERA) in the finale of the four-game series on Sunday.
___
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