For the first time since August 2, 2025, the song "The Rooster" by Alice in Chains rang out before the start of a game.
Zack Wheeler made his first start in Citizens Bank Park since being sidelined with thoracic outlet syndrome.
It was his third start overall this season, but his first home game. He pitched well in his first two starts, allowing three runs in 11 IP against the Braves and Marlins.
While his fastball was up from his last start in Miami, Wheeler didn't look as sharp on Wednesday night. His first run allowed came on a single from Jacob Wilson. Adolis Garcia beat Lawrence Butler to the plate, but JT Realmuto couldn't make the tag.
Third baseman Zack Gelof hit a two-out double in the fifth and was driven in by Lancaster, PA native Nick Kurtz. Wheeler gave up a homer to left fielder Tyle Soderstrom to lead off the sixth inning.
Wheeler recorded one out in the seventh and was replaced by LHP Tim Mayza. The home crowd gave Wheeler a solid ovation for his quality start. Overall, he allowed three ER, five hits and a walk.
Offensively, the Phillies had to face a left-handed starter for the first time since Don Mattingly took over as manager. Unlike usual, the Phillies found some success against Jeffrey Springs. They recorded eight hits against the southpaw.
Brandon Marsh, who usually struggles against LPH, had two hits on the night. He led off the fifth inning with a triple and scored on a Felix Reyes groundout for the Phillies' first run of the night.
In the sixth inning, Adolis García made it a one-run game with a solo homer to center field. His fourth homer of the season went 412 feet.
The Phillies rallied in the eighth inning. A Kyle Schwarber leadoff walk was followed by a costly error by second baseman Jeff McNeil. An Adolis García single loaded the bases with no outs. With a 0-2 count, Edmundo Sosa hit a single just up the middle, scoring two and giving the Phillies their first lead of the game.
They didn't stop at a one-run lead. After the A's brought in their sole left reliever, Brandon Marsh singled to bring in another run. Bryson Stott continued with a single to load the bases, again. Justin Crawford grounded out, scoring Sosa. The Phillies went from being down 3-2 to up 6-3.
The bullpen did their job in relief of Wheeler. Tim Mayz finished the seventh inning. Jose Alvarado recorded two outs in the eighth but also allowed two base runners. Orion Kerkering ended the inning with a groundout.
Despite loading the bases, Brad Keller recorded the save. The game ended on a broken-bat grounder to Keller. He threw a strike to Bryce Harper to bring down the heart rates of all Philadelphians.
The Phillies have now won eight of their last nine games.
In the game, Nick Kurtz went 2/4 and extended his on-base streak to 30 games.
