PHOENIX — Zack Wheeler delivered another outstanding performance in the postseason, pitching seven scoreless innings. Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and J.T. Realmuto all hit home runs as the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-1 on Saturday night. This victory gives the Phillies a 3-2 lead in the NL Championship Series.
Philadelphia is now only one win away from making their second consecutive World Series appearance. This comes after the team faced disappointment in consecutive one-run losses at Chase Field.
The Phillies got off to a strong start, with Bryson Stott hitting an RBI single and Bryce Harper scoring in a double steal to give them a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Schwarber and Harper later added impressive homers in the sixth inning to extend the lead.
J.T. Realmuto contributed to the Phillies’ dominance with a two-run homer in the eighth inning, further securing their 6-1 lead.
The series will now move to Philadelphia for the next game. The Phillies have been unbeaten at home this postseason, with a 6-0 record and 17 home runs.
On the pitching side, Zack Wheeler continued to impress. The 33-year-old right-hander allowed only one run and five hits in seven innings, striking out eight batters. He now has a 3-0 record with a 2.08 ERA in four postseason starts this year.
For the Diamondbacks, Zac Gallen struggled on the mound, giving up four runs and six hits in six innings. This marked his second loss to the Phillies in this series.
In the seventh inning, Alek Thomas hit a home run for the Diamondbacks, following his tying home run in the eighth inning of the previous game. Thomas has a team-record four home runs in this postseason.
Kyle Schwarber continued his strong performance at the plate, batting .412 in the series and hitting his fifth solo home run. This milestone came in his 63rd postseason game, breaking the previous record of 68 games held by Houston’s Jose Altuve.
Bryce Harper also made history for the Phillies, stealing home base. This was the first steal of home in Phillies’ postseason history and the 22nd in MLB postseason history. It was the ninth steal of home since playoffs started in 1969 and the first since Tampa Bay’s Randy Arozarena in 2021.
Diamondbacks’ manager Torey Lovullo made lineup changes, giving Pavin Smith his first start of the postseason as the designated hitter. Tommy Pham was benched after struggling in the previous games. The game was played with the roof closed due to the high temperatures in Phoenix.
In the next game, RHP Aaron Nola will start for the Phillies, while RHP Merrill Kelly will take the mound for the Diamondbacks.
