PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Zack Wheeler carved up the Atlanta Braves lineup in his first start as a Phillie in front of Philadelphia fans, but it wasn’t his right arm that had fans talking. It was his bat.
Wheeler made his 2021 debut on Saturday afternoon, and while he mowed down Brave and after Brave on the mound, the righty throwing and lefty-hitting pitcher also helped himself at the plate.
Yes, pitchers are hitting again in 2021. And yes, that is music to Wheeler’s ears.
Wheeler broke up a pitcher’s duel in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two-out RBI single to give the Phils a 1-0 lead. Rhys Hoskins followed that up with a two-run double two batters later, giving the Phillies a 3-0 lead.
What DH? pic.twitter.com/91ME26ThAV
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 3, 2021
An inning later, however, Wheeler said to himself, “Anything I can do, I can do better.”
Imagine pitching to Zack Wheeler … Couldn't be us. pic.twitter.com/wysuE0NdPG
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 3, 2021
With two men on and two outs again in the bottom of the sixth inning, Wheeler laced an RBI double down the left-field line to give himself a 4-0 lead. Saturday is Wheeler’s fifth career multi-hit game.
Wheeler also became the first Phillies pitcher with multiple hits and multiple RBIs since Ben Lively did it in September 2017.
It was also a fine outing on the mound for Wheeler, who finished his first start of the season with 10 strikeouts in seven, one-hit scoreless innings. He left his start Saturday with a 4-0 lead.
Wheeler’s 2021 debut had Phillies fans talking.
Zack Wheeler $$$$$$$$$$
— Pat Gallen (@PatGallenCBS3) April 3, 2021
“The pitchers shouldnt hit” people are having a bad day in Philly.
— Andy Wheeler (@TheAndyWheeler) April 3, 2021
Zack Wheeler you are the man! #Phillies #RingTheBell
— Matt Higgins (@MattHiggins80) April 3, 2021
The AL is shaking pic.twitter.com/jTpzY6FOAQ
— Alexa Ross (@AlexaRossTV) April 3, 2021
Zack Wheeler for MVP #ringthebell pic.twitter.com/BeZBD2qhOA
— Aaron Talasnik (@ATalasnik) April 3, 2021
ZACK WHEELER IS A GOD
— Kyle Frey (@yachobscoracek) April 3, 2021
CLIFF LEE VIBES
— DelcoDelphia (@DelcoDelphia) April 3, 2021
Wheeler has more hits against the braves than they have against him. (Praying I don’t jinx him)
— merry andrew (@Andrewphillyfan) April 3, 2021
Zack Wheeler taking the Gerrit Cole leap pic.twitter.com/v4iZyeTLpS
— “that funny tweetur guy” (@pivettahype) April 3, 2021
Signing Zack Wheeler was one of the best decisions Phillies have made in years.
— Daniel Spevak (@D_Spevak) April 3, 2021
Somebody do the thing where you go to the Braves Wikipedia page and change it to say Zack Wheeler is their father. Bc goddamn.
— Playoff Ari ♊️♠️ (@ArionNation) April 3, 2021
Give Zack Wheeler the Silver Slugger Award now
— Sean Kotalik (@KotalikSean) April 3, 2021
Wheeler’s final stat line on Saturday looks like this: Seven innings pitched, one hit allowed, 10 strikeouts on 90 pitches; 2 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.
Pretty, pretty, pretty good.