Phillies Sweep Rangers as Zack Wheeler Wins Despite Shoulder Soreness

The Philadelphia Phillies completed a series sweep against the Texas Rangers with a 4-2 win on August 10, bolstered by Zack Wheeler's pitching despite his diminished velocity and command issues due to recent right shoulder soreness. Wheeler, who had his start pushed back two days after an MRI showed no structural damage, allowed two runs over five innings with seven strikeouts, but saw a noticeable drop in the speed of all his pitches. The Phillies' offense rallied in the fifth inning, with Edmundo Sosa and Bryson Stott contributing key hits that secured the lead. Defensively, Harrison Bader made a spectacular catch to preserve the Phillies' advantage. The victory extended the Phillies' lead in the NL East to 5½ games and marked their first sweep since June, as they continue to build momentum in their playoff race. Despite concerns about Wheeler's shoulder, manager Rob Thomson expressed confidence in his health and performance moving forward.