Phillies Win Eighth Straight Behind Turner’s Homer and Wheeler’s Dominance

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Philadelphia Phillies extended their winning streak to eight games with a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. Trea Turner ignited the offense with a leadoff homer, hitting the fourth pitch of the game 426 feet over the center field wall.

Phillies ace Zack Wheeler delivered a stellar performance, tossing 6⅔ scoreless innings. He recorded two strikeouts and limited the A’s offense, showcasing his impressive skills. Wheeler pitched through multiple threats, including back-to-back walks in the seventh inning before Orion Kerkering came in to strike out Luis Urias and end the threat.

Jordan Romano entered the game in the ninth inning with a four-run lead but faced challenges as he surrendered a home run to Nick Kurtz, allowing the A’s to narrow the gap. Despite the scare, Tanner Banks closed out the game for his first save as a Phillie, securing the team’s eighth consecutive win.

The Phillies’ recent success can be attributed to solid performances from both the lineup and the pitching staff. They now hold a 33-18 record, the best in the National League and just half a game behind the Detroit Tigers for the best record in Major League Baseball.

Wheeler’s performance marked his 22⅔ straight scoreless innings, further solidifying his position as one of the top pitchers in the league. He is currently 6-1 with a 2.42 ERA this season. Bryson Stott praised Wheeler’s versatility, stating, “A guy with that many pitches… they keep a pitch in their arsenal.”

Turner’s leadoff homer was his fourth of the season and marked his first as a Phillie. Turner has been on a hot streak, hitting two doubles, two triples, and two home runs in his last eight games. The Phillies have shown resilience, winning 20 of their last 25 games since a sweep by the Mets in late April.

As the Phillies aim for their ninth consecutive win, they will send Cristopher Sanchez to the mound on Saturday night, looking to build on their impressive streak.