Philadelphia Phillies Sweep Rangers: Red-Hot Historic Run For Phillies
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
Zack Wheeler delivered seven strong innings, and J.T. Realmuto and Nick Castellanos homered to help the Philadelphia Phillies complete a three-game sweep of the World Series champion Texas Rangers with a 5-2 victory on Thursday. This marked the Phillies’ seventh series sweep of the season.
Not even the reigning champions, a 45-minute weather delay, or twice wasting bases-loaded opportunities could halt a Phillies team that won its sixth straight game and has been dominant throughout the spring.
The sellout crowd of 42,377 at Citizens Bank Park watched the Phillies improve to 22-8 at home. With a record of 37-14, the Phillies boast the best record in baseball, featuring several impressive achievements.
Notably, they are 17-3 in May and have either split or won each of their last 15 series, the longest such streak since a 19-series stretch in 1984. They are 29-6 over their last 35 games, matching the best 35-game span in franchise history, last accomplished in 1892. The Phillies have also managed a 15-3 record since losing two-time All-Star shortstop Trea Turner to a left hamstring injury.
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When asked before the game about any concerns with this year’s team, manager Rob Thomson mentioned the potential threat of complacency but dismissed it, given the team’s recent postseason disappointments.
Wheeler (6-3) won his sixth straight decision, allowing five hits and two runs. He surrendered Adolis García’s solo homer in the second inning and another run in the seventh.
Despite an early solo homer by García, Realmuto tied the game in the third inning with a solo shot off Rangers starter Andrew Heaney (0-6), extending his hitting streak to 13 games. Cristian Pache hit a two-run triple in the fourth, followed by Kyle Schwarber’s RBI single, giving the Phillies a 3-1 lead. Castellanos added a solo home run in the seventh.
The Phillies have yet to win a series against a team that entered Thursday above .500, but they knocked the Rangers (24-27) down with the sweep. Texas has now lost four straight and 12 of their last 19.
The Phillies will send LHP Cristopher Sánchez (2-3, 3.31 ERA) to the mound against Rockies LHP Ty Blach (1-2, 5.14 ERA) in the opener of a three-game series at Colorado on Friday.
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