Wheeler, Rincones Lead Phillies
Phillies Secure 7-0 Victory Over Marlins; Wheeler Strikes Out Nine, Rincones Homers
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Zack Wheeler was nearly untouchable Monday night at Citizens Bank Park, striking out nine batters across six scoreless innings as the Philadelphia Phillies blanked the Miami Marlins 7-0. Wheeler held Miami to just two hits, lowered his ERA to 2.01, and improved his record to 6-1 on the season, according to AP News.
The story of the night belonged to Gabriel Rincones Jr., a 24-year-old outfielder in just his second Major League game. He homered for his first career hit — a 385-foot solo shot off Miami's Ryan Gusto hit at 105.1 mph — to the roar of 39,241 fans, according to CBS Sports.
Rincones Arrives in Style After Injury Opens Door
Rincones only got his shot because of a brutal run of injuries in the Phillies outfield. Adolis GarcÃa tore his right lat on June 10 and was placed on the 60-day IL two days later, according to MLB Trade Rumors. With Johan Rojas also sidelined with an elbow injury, Philadelphia promoted Rincones from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the gap.
He wasted no time. In the second inning, Rincones worked a 1-2 count before driving a pitch over the fence for his first career hit — a home run. He added a second RBI on a force-out in the third. The crowd gave him a standing ovation, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Wheeler Dominates With Pinpoint Command Over Six Innings
Wheeler was efficient and sharp. He threw 97 pitches, walked three, and never let Miami threaten. Nine strikeouts against just two hits is the kind of line that defines an ace start. Through 10 starts in 2026, his 2.01 ERA ranks among the best in the National League, according to Field Level Media.
Not everyone sees Wheeler as flawless. Analysts at FantasyData point out that his average fastball velocity has dipped from 96 mph in 2025 to 94.9 mph this season. They warn regression may be coming. For now, though, the results speak for themselves.
Realmuto Homers and Phillies Pour It On Late
J.T. Realmuto provided the knockout blow in the fifth inning with a two-run home run — his fifth of the season — pushing the lead to 5-0, according to TSN. Alec Bohm and Bryce Harper each added sacrifice flies in the eighth to close out the scoring at 7-0. Chase Shugart finished off the Marlins in the ninth.
The only scare for Philadelphia came when shortstop Trea Turner was removed in the eighth after taking a hit-by-pitch to his right wrist. The team is being cautious about his status for the rest of the homestand, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Mattingly's Turnaround Has Phillies Back in Wild Card Hunt
The win is the latest in a remarkable run under interim manager Don Mattingly. Since replacing Rob Thomson — who was fired on April 27 after a 9-19 start — the Phillies have gone 30-14, according to AP News. The team now sits in the second Wild Card spot, trailing Atlanta by eight games in the NL East.
FanGraphs notes the outfield depth remains thin despite the feel-good Rincones story. Analysts expect the Phillies to aggressively pursue a veteran outfielder before the trade deadline if Rincones and Derek Hill cannot sustain production. For one night, though, Philadelphia looked every bit like a contender.
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