Wheeler Strikes Out Nine in Six Strong Innings, Schwarber Hits His 41st Homer as Phillies Beat Braves 4-2

Zack Wheeler escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the first inning and then settled into the dominant form Philadelphia had expected from him. He struck out nine over six innings, allowed one run on three hits and helped the Phillies defeat the Atlanta Braves 4-2.

Kyle Schwarber supplied the headline power, hitting his 41st home run of the season, the most in the major leagues. Venezuelan Luis Arráez added two hits and drove in a run as Philadelphia, the two-time defending division champion, won its 16th game in its last 20.

Philadelphia scored twice in the first inning against Atlanta starter Martín Pérez. Arráez delivered an RBI single, and J.T. Realmuto drew a bases-loaded walk. Ronald Acuña Jr. then made a spectacular leaping catch to end the inning and likely prevent three more runs on Bryson Stott’s line drive between right and center field.

Atlanta answered with home runs from Acuña and Austin Riley, but the Braves lost for only the third time in 12 games. Wheeler improved to 12-5 after a difficult August in which he posted a 6.26 earned-run average. Dominican reliever Jhoan Durán retired all three batters in the ninth for his 30th save.