Wheeler (13-6) was in command throughout, striking out seven, walking none, and scattering four hits across 96 pitches. The 34-year-old right-hander, who signed a five-year, $118 million deal with the Phillies in 2020, and inked a three-year, $126 million extension in March, continues to prove his worth in red pinstripes. His latest outing marked his 56th win with Philadelphia since his arrival from the Mets, where he spent the first seven seasons of his career.
Sosa gave Wheeler all the support he needed in the third inning, launching a towering 450-foot solo shot off Max Fried (8-8) to lead off the frame. Trea Turner followed suit in the sixth, belting a 95-mph fastball into the left-field seats to double the lead. Sosa added to the cushion in the seventh with an RBI double that brought home Weston Wilson.
Michael Harris II nearly turned the tide for Atlanta with a jaw-dropping defensive play in the seventh, robbing Austin Hays of a home run. Harris made a leaping grab at the center-field wall, crashing into the railing and nearly flipping over before righting himself and holding up his glove to signal the catch. A stunned Hays tipped his helmet in admiration as he rounded second.
Jeff Hoffman pitched a clean eighth, striking out two, and Carlos Estévez closed the door in the ninth for his 23rd save in 27 attempts, his third in four tries since joining the Phillies in July.
The series concludes Sunday night with Spencer Schwellenbach (5-6, 3.72 ERA) taking the mound for Atlanta against Aaron Nola (12-6, 3.30 ERA) in what promises to be another high-stakes NL East showdown.
