Wheeler’s Seven Scoreless Lift Phillies in Wild-Card Race

Zack Wheeler delivered seven scoreless innings as the Philadelphia Phillies blanked the Washington Nationals 3-0 on Wednesday to split their two-game series. Wheeler allowed four hits and one walk while striking out five, improving to 13-5 with a 2.99 ERA and moving within three strikeouts of 2,000 for his career; he has allowed three runs over his last 26 innings. Alec Bohm went 2-for-2 with three walks and an RBI, while Bryce Harper reached base three times and scored twice, and Philadelphia drew 13 walks from Nationals pitchers. Jose Alvarado and Jhoan Duran completed the shutout, with Duran recording his 31st save. The win strengthened Philadelphia’s position in the National League wild-card race after starter Jesús Luzardo was placed on the injured list, while Cristopher Sánchez had recently struggled and Washington’s Jared Simpson lasted one-third of an inning in an opener role.