Zack Wheeler’s struggles continued as the Philadelphia Phillies’ (73-59) MLB-best nine-game winning streak came to screeching halt with a 9-2 humbling at the hands of the Seattle Mariners (63-69).
Wheeler surrendered eight runs on nine hits, five walks and four home runs, raising his ERA from 2.92 to 3.40. It was the second time in his career he allowed five first inning runs and first as a member of the Phillies. He has an 8.51 ERA in his last six starts.
The Phillies loaded the bases in the first
frame of the game and put up the first run on an Alec Bohm sacrifice fly.
The first six batters Wheeler faced reached base and accounted for five runs on a pair of multi-RBI homers by Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh.
Struggling most of the year after a historic campaign last year, Raleigh had his best game of 2026 with his first career three-home run game, two of which came against Wheeler and another by Chase Shugart in his mop up duty.
JT Realmuto hit his ninth home run of the season in the second inning, a solo shot that cut the lead to three.
Singles by Bryce Harper in the third and Bryson Stott in the fourth were all the offense the Phillies had left in the tank after their momentous comeback yesterday afternoon.
Alex McFarlane and Jose Alvarado each pitched a scoreless inning in relief of Wheeler.
Harper tied his career long on base streak at 27 games.
Aaron Nola is scheduled to face George Kirby in the middle game of the series tomorrow night.
