ANAHEIM, Calif. — Zack Wheeler delivered the bounce-back performance the Philadelphia Phillies desperately needed, while Edmundo Sosa continued to make his impact felt at exactly the right time.
Wheeler fired six strong innings, Sosa launched the go-ahead home run in the seventh, and the Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels with a convincing 5-2 victory Sunday.
The win was another statement from a Philadelphia team that continues to find ways to win. The Phillies have now won 13 of their last 15 games, building significant momentum as they push toward the most important stretch of the season.
For Wheeler, the outing was particularly important.
The veteran right-hander entered Sunday looking to put an end to a difficult stretch. He had gone 0-3 with an 8.38 ERA across his previous four starts, creating some concern about whether he could regain the dominant form that has made him one of Philadelphia’s most trusted starters.
He answered those questions with six quality innings.
Wheeler allowed just one run on four hits while striking out six and walking three. More importantly, he showed the ability to work through early trouble and settle into the game.
The Angels immediately put pressure on him in the opening inning.
Wheeler walked Wade Meckler, hit Mike Trout with a pitch and surrendered a single to Vaughn Grissom, loading the bases with nobody out. What could have turned into another frustrating outing instead became a test of Wheeler’s composure.
He escaped the inning without allowing the damage to spiral.
From there, Wheeler settled down and gave the Phillies exactly what they needed. His six innings kept Philadelphia within striking distance and allowed the offense to eventually take control.
Los Angeles starter Yusei Kikuchi was nearly as impressive.
Kikuchi held Philadelphia to two runs and six hits over seven innings, striking out six and walking only one. The game remained tied at 1-1 heading into the seventh, setting the stage for another timely moment from Sosa.
Sosa led off the seventh inning and wasted little time.
He drove a solo home run off Kikuchi, putting Philadelphia ahead 2-1 and giving the Phillies the lead for good.
It was another huge contribution from Sosa, who had already played the hero earlier in the series.
On Friday night, Sosa came off the bench and crushed a pinch-hit grand slam in the ninth inning to help Philadelphia secure a 5-3 victory. Two days later, he delivered another clutch swing, this time putting the Phillies ahead with a solo blast.
Philadelphia then continued to add pressure.
In the eighth inning, the Phillies scored twice to create some breathing room. Luis Arraez delivered a pinch-hit sacrifice fly, followed by Brandon Marsh’s pinch-hit RBI single. Suddenly, a tight 2-1 game had become a 4-1 Phillies advantage.
Bryce Harper added another important insurance run in the ninth, doubling home a run to push Philadelphia’s lead to 5-1.
The Angels managed to make things slightly uncomfortable in the bottom of the ninth.
Mike Trout, one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters, drove in a run with an RBI double, cutting the deficit to three. But Orion Kerkering remained composed and recorded the final four outs to secure his second save.
Alex McFarlane also contributed with a scoreless seventh inning, helping Philadelphia’s pitching staff protect the lead.
The victory completed a perfect series for the Phillies and extended the Angels’ struggles. Los Angeles has now lost seven consecutive games, matching its longest losing streak of the season.
For Philadelphia, however, the story is much different.
The Phillies are playing with confidence, getting contributions from different parts of the roster and finding multiple ways to win games. Wheeler’s resurgence was particularly encouraging because Philadelphia will need its top starters performing at their best as the season moves toward its decisive stages.
Sosa’s emergence as a clutch contributor has also given the lineup another weapon.
The Phillies did not need one massive offensive performance Sunday. Instead, they relied on timely hitting, strong pitching and a bullpen that did enough to preserve the advantage.
That combination has become increasingly important for a team with postseason ambitions.
Wheeler may not have been perfect, but he was effective when Philadelphia needed him most. After struggling through his previous four starts, he responded with six strong innings and gave his offense an opportunity to make the difference.
Sosa once again answered the call.
And Philadelphia walked away with another victory.
With 13 wins in their last 15 games and a three-game sweep now secured, the Phillies are showing signs of a team hitting its stride at an ideal time. The challenge now is to maintain that momentum, because the games will only become more meaningful from here.
