Phillies' Zack Wheeler throws 1-hitter for his first complete game since 2021
Wheeler (9-2) — the National League's pitcher of the month in June — allowed only a leadoff homer to Austin Hays in the fifth inning.
'I left it thigh high and I left it middle when I should have went away there,' Wheeler said. 'It wasn't the smartest pitch to throw there.'
The right-hander struck out 12 and didn't walk a batter, throwing 108 pitches.
'I was able to get in and out of innings quick,' Wheeler said. 'The defense made some great plays behind me and J.T. (Realmuto) carried me like he has since I got here.'
After a brief meeting in the dugout with Phillies manager Rob Thomson after the eighth inning, Wheeler went back out for the ninth and finished his first complete game since Aug. 8, 2021, by retiring Will Benson, Christian Encarnacio-Strand and TJ Friedl on eight pitches.
'He still had his stuff in the eighth and he was dominant in the inning,' Thomson said. 'I would have taken him to 115 pitches. I wanted to make sure he was OK (in that meeting) and he said he was good. He said, 'I would lie to you, but I'm good.''
Since Wheeler returned from paternity leave June 9, he has allowed only three earned runs in 40 innings.
___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
3 minutes ago
- CBS News
Jose Alvarado apologizes to Phillies, fans as he nears return from 80-game PED suspension
José Alvarado apologized to the Philadelphia Phillies and their fans Tuesday as the hard-throwing lefty reliever is nearing his return from an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. In an Instagram post, Alvarado wrote he never intended to take a prohibited substance and is "fully aware that using prohibited substances is wrong." "I made a mistake and therefore, I have faced the consequences set forth by MLB," Alvarado wrote. "Going forward, my focus is on working hard to help the team win." Alvarado was suspended for 80 games on May 18 after he tested positive for exogenous testosterone, a banned substance. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the positive test was caused by a weight loss drug Alvarado took in the offseason. Alvarado accepted the suspension. "It's not something he did knowingly," Dombrowski said in May. "I believe that, the way he talked to me." The suspension makes Alvarado ineligible for the postseason. He's eligible to return to the Phillies on Aug. 19, when the club hosts the Seattle Mariners. MLB rules allow him to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before his return. He returned to Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday for the first time since his suspension. "There is always a lesson to be learned in every mistake," he wrote Tuesday on social media. The bullpen Alvarado returns to isn't the one he last pitched in when he was the Phils' best high-leverage reliever. At the time of his suspension, the 30-year-old had a 2.70 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 20 innings. His sinker averaged 99.3 mph in 20 games, up from 97.8 mph last season. The Phillies acquired Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins before last week's MLB trade deadline, meaning the club now has a set closer. When Alvarado returns, he'll join a remodeled Phillies bullpen with Duran as the closer and veteran David Robertson in the mix. Robertson signed with the team last month and is eligible to return Tuesday, but will need more time in Triple-A. Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm are now the Phillies' primary setup relievers. "What it does is it moves everybody up an inning, that's all," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Monday. "You still have Kerkering and Strahm as your two main setup guys and then you have a combination of [Max] Lazar and [Tanner] Banks and [Jordan] Romano and those guys in front of them. It just makes the bullpen a little lengthier. It gives us more depth." No one knows what to expect from Alvarado when he returns, but if he's close to his old self, the Phils will have another high-leverage arm they can use down the stretch. The Phils are seeking to make their fourth straight postseason appearance and are currently 1 1/2 games ahead of the New York Mets in the NL East race. "It's been a long 80 days without him. Not only is he talented, but he brings so much energy to the field and the clubhouse. It's just really good to have him around," Thomson said. "I think he helps, but I think they've done pretty well without him, to tell you the truth. We've won a lot of games without him, but he's certainly going to bring more energy and he's going to bring another really, really good arm." Here's Alvarado's full statement posted Tuesday: "May 18th was a very difficult day for me. That day, MLB announced the positive result of a doping test conducted in March 2025. "I am fully aware that using prohibited substances is wrong and I would never intend to do so because I have always had great respect for the game, my organization, my teammates and the fans, all of whom I want to offer my sincere apologies. "I made a mistake and therefore, I have faced the consequences set forth by MLB. "Going forward, my focus is on working hard to help the team win. "Once again, I offer my deepest apologies to the Phillies organization, my teammates, my family, my country Venezuela, the City of Philadelphia and the fans who have always supported me, especially the children and young people. "There is always a lesson to be learned in every mistake. "I thank God for giving me the strength to overcome this situation. I am glad to be back and ready to support the team."
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Seneca Nation purchases Rochester Knighthawks lacrosse franchise
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — The Seneca Nation has purchased the National Lacrosse League's Rochester Knighthawks, replacing Buffalo Bills and Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula. The Seneca Nation, a sovereign Native American nation, has roots in western New York, where Rochester is located. The Knighthawks made the announcement on Tuesday. 'Our ancestors were the first people to share the game of lacrosse with the world," Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca said. "It was gifted to them by the Creator as a spiritual game and a game of healing. The Seneca Nation is thrilled to celebrate our connection to the Creator's Game and to this community by keeping the Knighthawks in Rochester, where we look forward to building a bright future rooted in the team's winning tradition.' Terry Pegula helped the team find new ownership. The Pegulas chose to sell the Knighthawks in June to focus on the other NLL team the family owns, the three-time defending champion Buffalo Bandits. The Knighthawks are coming off a third straight trip to the National Lacrosse League Playoffs after winning a franchise record-tying 10 games. Forward Connor Fields became first player in team history to win the NLL's Most Valuable Player Award. Knighthawks general manager Dan Carey will continue to lead the organization and will add president to his title. ___ AP sports:
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NFL training camp 2025 news, live updates: Justin Fields, Jets offense struggling to get up to speed so far
[Top training camp stories | NFL team feeds | NFL training camp live blog] All 32 NFL teams have reported to training camp, and there's no shortage of intrigue and storylines so far. The New York Jets are hoping to be one of the NFL's most interesting offenses with Justin Fields under center, and there's still plenty of time to make that happen. Recent returns at training camp, however, haven't been strong. At practice Tuesday, a promising drive in 11-on-11s ended with a Fields interception, per SNYTV's Connor Hughes. That followed some struggles in 7-on-7s for Fields, and his total numbers the last three practices before Tuesday were reportedly 8 of 32 with an interception. [Subscribe to Yahoo Fantasy Plus and unlock Instant Mock Drafts today] The usual caveats apply here. It's early in camp, when defenses are universally ahead of offenses. Fields is in his first season under head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. The Jets are still trying to sort out what personnel to use with which packages, and play to their strengths. It's all very routine at this time of year. That said, the Jets are counting on Fields to help move the franchise in the right direction starting this season. While he'll likely never be confused with a pure passer, those numbers need to improve for the Jets' offense to be effective. Top NFL training camp stories Browns release first depth chart: The Cleveland Browns released their first depth chart of the preseason Monday, and the quarterback order is as expected. Veteran Joe Flacco is listed as the starter, and fellow veteran Kenny Pickett is listed at No. 2. Rookie Dillon Gabriel, whom the Browns selected in the third round of April's draft, is No. 3. And fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders, whose slide to the fifth round was the story of the NFL Draft, is listed at No. 4. Cleveland's first preseason game is Friday at Carolina. Micah Parsons continues hold-in: On Monday at Cowboys camp, Micah Parsons spoke at length with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to the side of defensive line drills during periods of individual work. He then spent most of team drills with Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay, watching at ground level from the sideline while team owner and general manager Jerry Jones watched from an adjacent temporary tower. It's all indicative of how Parsons isn't simply holding in to avoid daily fines amid lagging contract negotiations, he's communicating with team leadership during the process. Travis Hunter, OROY DROY? What kind of impact could Travis Hunter have on both sides of the ball during his rookie season with the Jacksonville Jaguars? If you ask head coach Liam Coen, a historic one. Appearing on "The Rich Eisen Show" on Monday, Jaguars head coach Liam Coen agreed with the host that Hunter, who was selected No. 2 overall in April's NFL Draft, could win both NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year as a wide receiver and cornerback. "I do think it's possible," Coen said. "He is committed to driving, not just himself, but his teammates as well. I think his teammates ... these guys are challenging him every single day. He doesn't get a free pass because he was the second overall pick and he's Travis Hunter." Patriots DC has health scare: New England defensive coordinator Terrell Williams had a health scare in the middle of team practice on Monday, when he fell onto the grass on the sidelines, according to reporters covering training camp. Medical staff quickly acted, went to aid Williams and rolled out a stretcher to help carry him off the field. The coach was able to get up on his own, per TMZ. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald later reported that Williams collapsed due to dehydration, but was "fine" and receiving treatment. NFL team feeds AFC East: Buffalo Bills | Miami Dolphins | New England Patriots | New York Jets AFC North: Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns | Pittsburgh Steelers AFC South: Houston Texans | Indianapolis Colts | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans AFC West: Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders | Los Angeles Chargers NFC East: Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants | Philadelphia Eagles | Washington Commanders NFC North: Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions | Green Bay Packers | Minnesota Vikings NFC South: Atlanta Falcons | Carolina Panthers | New Orleans Saints | Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC West: Arizona Cardinals | Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks NFL training camp live blog Follow along below as Yahoo Sports tracks all the news, rumors and updates from NFL training camps:
