With a 5-1 victory over the Rockies on Wednesday night, the Phillies locked up their second straight series win to open the season—a feat they’ve pulled off just 20 times in franchise history and not since 2021. They also extended their home series winning streak to seven, their longest since the 2011 team that won nine in a row at Citizens Bank Park.
Wheeler (1-0) struck out 10 over seven dominant innings, allowing just three hits and one run. It was his 26th career double-digit strikeout game (18th as a Phillie), and his 60th win with the club—making him the fastest Phillie to reach that milestone since some guy named Steve Carlton did it in 1975. Oh, and for a little MLB history? The Phillies became the first team ever to record at least 11 strikeouts in each of their first five games of a season. If you’re wondering who did it before them, don’t bother looking—nobody did.
Turner, back atop the lineup after missing two games with a balky back, didn’t miss a beat. He had three hits, including a seventh-inning RBI single that gave the Phillies a little extra breathing room. Kyle Schwarber doubled in a run, scored one himself, and has now hit safely in all five games this season.
Then there’s Sosa, who might not be giving up a lineup spot anytime soon. He filled in at short while Turner was out, slid over to second base in this one, and kept raking—going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. That’s now four straight multi-hit games to start the season, making him the first Phillie to do that since Ryan Howard and Plácido Polanco in 2010. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even guaranteed regular at-bats a week ago.
Rockies starter Kyle Freeland (0-1) scattered nine hits over 6 2/3 innings but couldn’t keep up. Hunter Goodman provided Colorado’s only spark with a solo homer in the seventh—his second in as many nights.
Five games in, the Phillies are 4-1. They’re winning. They’re making history. And they’re looking every bit like a team that plans to keep this going for a while.
Big Picture Takeaway
Solid win? Sure. But this is exactly what a team like this is supposed to do against a team like that. Zack Wheeler did Zack Wheeler things. The bullpen slammed the door—without allowing a single hit. And Rob Thomson suddenly has a bit of a problem on his hands, because how exactly do you sit Edmundo Sosa right now? He’s on an absolute heater, opening the season 9-for-15 and making every at-bat count.Jose Alvarado? Filthy. He fanned two in a spotless ninth and looked every bit like the guy the Phillies need him to be at the back end of games. And while the usual suspects carried the offense, don’t overlook Johan Rojas, who quietly picked up two more hit - including a bunt for a single. He’s now 4-for-6 on the year.
Quotable
“Not by me, not by his teammates, either.” - skipper Rob Thomson, speaking about if Wheeler is taken for granted because of his consistency on the mound. Phillies WPA (win probability added)
Wheeler was the star on Wednesday, posting a 0.31 WPA. Sosa, with his three hits and two RBIs, posted 0.11 WPA. Bryce Harper brought up the rear for the Phillies, his 0-for-5 performance equating to -0.12 WPA.
Up Next
The Phillies will go for the sweep on Thursday afternoon. Taijuan Walker will make his season debut for the club. The Rockies counter with veteran righty Antonio Senzatela who tossed 4 1/3 scoreless frames in his first start of the season last week against Tampa. Though he didn't allow a run, he did surrender nine hits and walked a pair.
