Zack Wheeler propels Phillies to season sweep of Padres
Jun 4, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Zack Wheeler worked seven strong innings as the host Philadelphia Phillies completed a season sweep of the San Diego Padres with a 6-4 victory Thursday afternoon.
After capturing all three matchups in San Diego last week, Philadelphia took care of business at Citizens Bank Park this time around with Wheeler (5-1) taking center stage in the team's latest victory. The veteran right-hander held the Padres hitless until the sixth inning and, on the day, allowed two runs, two hits and three walks while striking out eight.
Adolis Garcia homered for the Phillies, while Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm each collected two hits and an RBI to help Philadelphia improve to 7-2 in its last nine games.
Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill each belted a two-run homer for the Padres, who have lost nine of 10.
San Diego starter Lucas Giolito (2-1) allowed three runs (two earned) and six hits over four innings.
Through five innings, Wheeler's only blemish was a walk to Ty France to open the second. However, Wheeler rebounded to get the next three hitters to begin a streak of 13 straight batters retired.
Philadelphia opened the scoring in the fourth, when Bryce Harper walked with one out against Giolito and moved to second on a single by Brandon Marsh. Two batters later, Stott delivered an RBI single.
Garcia led off the fifth with a homer against Giolito before Justin Crawford's double ended the right-hander's afternoon. Yuki Matsui came on and recorded a couple of outs before his errant pickoff at first base allowed Crawford to jog home from third.
The first hit against Wheeler was Bryce Johnson's flare into left with one out in the sixth inning. However, Fernando Tatis Jr. promptly grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Machado's two-run homer in the seventh brought San Diego within 3-2, which was the final score of the first two games of the series. But Philadelphia tacked on three insurance runs against Adrian Morejon in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by RBI singles from Trea Turner and Bohm.
Merrill's two-run blast against Jose Alvarado in the ninth completed the scoring.
--Field Level Media
Related
Why the WNBA Won't Monetize Sophie Cunningham's Viral Point
What Prediction Markets Are Telling Us About NFL 2026 MVP
The Sacramento Kings Need to Blow It Up Before It's Too Late
Ben Askren Didn't Win the Match—But He Won the Weekend
- UFC Fight Night Best Betting Picks for Du Plessis vs. Usman in OKC
- France vs. England Best Bets: Three Picks for the World Cup Third-Place Match
- Dodgers vs. Yankees Friday July 17 Best Betting Picks and Props
- July 17 White Sox vs. Blue Jays Prediction, Odds and Best Bets
- Three MLB Futures Bets to Make After the All-Star Break
- Three Heisman Trophy Sleepers Worth Betting Before the 2026 Season
- England vs. Argentina Best Bets: Three Picks for the World Cup Semifinal

