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Zack Wheeler was close to making history.
For three straight games against the Tigers, Phillies starters carried a no-hitter through at least the middle innings. Wheeler’s no-hit bid lasted the longest.
He was five outs away from throwing the first no-hitter of the 2023 season, but Detroit’s Tyler Nevin broke it up with a single to right field with one out in the eighth inning. There was a close call in the previous at-bat. Jonathan Scoop hit a tough ground ball to third. Josh Harrison threw across the diamond, but the throw was short and the runner was safe. The official scorer gave Wheeler a mulligan and ruled the play an E5.
But since the Phillies lineup managed only one run against a bulk starter who had an ERA over six in Triple A, Wheeler was working with only a one-run lead. Once the no-hit bid was up, the focus shifted to maintaining the lead.
Seranthony Domínguez was summoned to pitch with two on. The No. 9 hitter Zack Short laid down a perfectly executed squeeze play to score the tying run. Domínguez was able to limit the damage with a hasty 1-6-3 double play saved by an excellent grab and throw from Trea Turner.
Thursday marked Wheeler’s longest no-hit bid in nearly ten years. He carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning on July 30, 2013 against the Miami Marlins. Greg Dobbs came off the bench to pinch-hit for Miami the inning after Wheeler was taken out. LaTroy Hawkins followed Wheeler in relief.
It’s fitting considering Wheeler will eclipse 10 years of major league service time on June 11, a huge accomplishment for any big leaguer.
Wheeler began the game by striking out five of the first seven batters he faced. He sprinkled in a few quick outs in the middle innings to give himself a chance to get all 27 outs and possibly force Rob Thomson to make an uncomfortable decision.
For Wheeler, it’s a much-needed rebound from a dreadful start against the Nationals last Friday. He lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits and seven earned runs.
Nola had a no-hitter through 6 2/3 innings on Monday while Taijuan Walker did not allow his first hit until the fifth inning in Tuesday’s game.
