Wheeler tosses 7 strong innings, Realmuto homers as Phillies beat Rangers 5-2 for 3-game sweep

wheeler tosses 7 strong innings, realmuto homers as phillies beat rangers 5-2 for 3-game sweep

Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto, right, and Bryce Harper celebrate after Realmuto's home run against Texas Rangers pitcher Andrew Heaney during the third inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Zack Wheeler tossed seven strong innings and J.T. Realmuto and Nick Castellanos homered to help Philadelphia complete a three-game sweep of the World Series champion Texas Rangers with a 5-2 win Thursday, the Phillies’ seventh series sweep this season.

“We're all having a lot of fun doing it,” Castellanos said.

With good reason. It's been 132 years in the making — the Phillies are 29-6 over their last 35 games, which matches the best 35-game span in franchise history, last done in 1892.

wheeler tosses 7 strong innings, realmuto homers as phillies beat rangers 5-2 for 3-game sweep

Philadelphia Phillies' Cristian Pache hits a two-run triple against Texas Rangers pitcher Andrew Heaney during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Not the world champs, not a 45-minute weather delay, not even twice wasting bases-loaded opportunities could stop a Phillies team that won its sixth straight game and has steamrolled through the spring.

Not even weekday baseball could curtail attendance — with a sellout crowd of 42,377 stuffed inside Citizens Bank Park to watch the Phillies finish a 7-1 homestand and improve to 22-8 at home. They are 37-14 and have the best record in baseball, with a slew of notable achievements stuffed inside that record.

wheeler tosses 7 strong innings, realmuto homers as phillies beat rangers 5-2 for 3-game sweep

Philadelphia Phillies' Edmundo Sosa reacts after hitting a double against Texas Rangers pitcher Andrew Heaney during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Such as, 17-3 in May. Or how about this: The Phillies either split or won each of their last 15 series, the longest span since a 19-series stretch in 1984.

And the Phillies improved to 15-3 since they lost two-time All-Star shortstop Trea Turner to a left hamstring injury.

Asked before the game if he had any real concerns with this year’s team, manager Rob Thomson could only offer the threat of complacency.

But Thomson added the thought of any self-satisfaction inside the clubhouse was a stretch, especially after last season’s loss in the NL Championship Series to Arizona and the 2022 World Series loss to Houston.

wheeler tosses 7 strong innings, realmuto homers as phillies beat rangers 5-2 for 3-game sweep

Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux, from left, pitcher Andrew Heaney and catcher Andrew Knizner talk on the mound during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

“I don’t think so, not with this group, especially after the last two years,” Thomson said. “And the people that we’ve brought in have joined in on that motivation. I think we’ve got a really good group.”

Wheeler (6-3) won his sixth straight decision (over seven starts) and allowed five hits and two runs. He gave up Adolis García’s solo homer in the second inning and another run in the seventh.

Phillies starters have pitched at least seven innings in 18 starts this year, the most in baseball.

“I think we all have that mentality of going seven-plus every time,” Wheeler said. “If you don't, that's not necessarily a bad thing. But that's our goal. We have goals every time out and that's one of them.”

José Alvarado worked a scoreless eighth and Jeff Hoffman pitched the ninth for his fourth save.

wheeler tosses 7 strong innings, realmuto homers as phillies beat rangers 5-2 for 3-game sweep

Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien, right, throws to first after forcing out Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper at second on a double play hit into by Alec Bohm during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

“They swing the bats, they're one of the best offensive teams in baseball,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “We caught a hot team.”

wheeler tosses 7 strong innings, realmuto homers as phillies beat rangers 5-2 for 3-game sweep

Texas Rangers' Andrew Heaney pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Must like a night earlier when the Phillies rallied from a 2-0 hole, García’s homer was just an early nuisance.

Realmuto hit an 0-2 pitch off Rangers starter Andrew Heaney (0-6) the other way into the right field seats for a tying shot in the third that stretched his hitting streak to 13 games.

Cristian Pache knocked a two-run triple off the left field wall in the fourth for a 3-1 lead and he scored on Kyle Schwarber’s RBI single.

Castellanos added a solo shot in the seventh, giving the Phillies four or more runs in 13 straight games.

“Hats off to ownership and the front office for believing in the pieces that are already here,” Castellanos said.

The Rangers did get Schwarber on an inning-ending groundout in the second and Alec Bohm — who entered Thursday leading the majors in doubles and RBIs — slammed his helmet after he closed the fourth by hitting into a double play with the bases loaded.

wheeler tosses 7 strong innings, realmuto homers as phillies beat rangers 5-2 for 3-game sweep

Philadelphia Phillies' Zack Wheeler pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Phillies have yet to win a series against a team that entered Thursday above .500 and they sure knocked the Rangers (24-27) down a few pegs with the sweep. Texas has lost four straight and 12 of 19.

wheeler tosses 7 strong innings, realmuto homers as phillies beat rangers 5-2 for 3-game sweep

Texas Rangers' Adolis Garcia follows through after hitting a home run against Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler during the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

TRAINER'S ROOM

RHP Jon Gray (right groin strain) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Gray took the loss in the series opener.

wheeler tosses 7 strong innings, realmuto homers as phillies beat rangers 5-2 for 3-game sweep

Texas Rangers' Travis Jankowski, left, steals second under Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Edmundo Sosa during the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

UP NEXT

The Rangers did not name a starter for Friday's opener of a three-game series at Minnesota. RHP Bailey Ober (4-2, 4.40 ERA) get the start for the Twins.

The Phillies send LHP Cristopher Sánchez (2-3, 3.31 ERA) to the mound against Rockies LHP Ty Blach (1-2, 5.14 ERA) in the opener Friday of a three-game series at Colorado.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

OTHER NEWS

19 minutes ago

Millionaire residents fury that town has turned into dumping ground

19 minutes ago

Bears D-line gets poor ranking ahead of 2024 season

19 minutes ago

Cole Palmer speaks after making Euros debut against Slovenia

22 minutes ago

Claim Trump can make tips tax-free needs context

22 minutes ago

Whistleblower's attorney says Baylor St. Luke's heart surgeons were routinely double or triple-booking surgeries

23 minutes ago

Israelis' lawsuit says UN agency helps Hamas by paying Gaza staff in dollars

24 minutes ago

Kylian Mbappé scores but encounters issues wearing protective mask on return for France at Euro 2024

24 minutes ago

Inflation expected to ‘slightly rise’ in May

24 minutes ago

Almost half of people on antidepressants could quit

24 minutes ago

Einhorn’s Greenlight Slams ‘Head of Macro’ in Fresh Lawsuit

24 minutes ago

Packers Rookie Preview: Kitan Oladapo

24 minutes ago

International court issues warrants over Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians

24 minutes ago

Issues about nuclear waste are a 'smokescreen'

24 minutes ago

Video: Hawaii becomes the first US state to have an official hand gesture - here's how you do it

27 minutes ago

Argentina vs. Chile live score: Copa America 2024 updates, result as Lionel Messi faces second group match

27 minutes ago

Do the dividends from AMP shares come fully franked?

27 minutes ago

Australians ‘choosing between heating and eating’ this winter

27 minutes ago

Mortgage portability: A solution to the housing market's 'lock-in effect'?

27 minutes ago

‘Doors open to everybody else’ if Senator Payman ‘allowed to slip through’

27 minutes ago

‘Creation is Not a Democracy’: Why Panerai’s Design Philosophy is Staunchly Unapologetic

27 minutes ago

'Winning again feels special' says Hatton after seizing maiden LIV Golf title in Nashville

27 minutes ago

Luka Modric speaks out on retirement as Croatia near Euro 2024 exit

27 minutes ago

Mums tackling childcare waiting list stress gather their own data to put solutions on the table

27 minutes ago

Volkswagen And Rivian Are Teaming Up On Software In $5 Billion Deal

27 minutes ago

Furyk and Weir set to square off in biennial 2024 President’s Cup in Canada

27 minutes ago

Judge Cannon is skeptical that evidence from Mar-a-Lago should be thrown out

27 minutes ago

Arkansas AG sues Temu over alleged ‘deceptive tactics’ harming consumers: 'Data theft business'

29 minutes ago

Game 7 Of Stanley Cup Final Posts Historic TV Numbers As Florida Panthers Edge Connor McDavid’s Oilers For First NHL Title

29 minutes ago

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange pleads guilty

29 minutes ago

Video: Gary Neville slams 'BASIC' England and admits bore draw with Slovenia was a 'struggle to watch' - as he names the one player 'certain' to start in the last-16

29 minutes ago

Freeland says Canada is looking at surtax on Chinese EVs

30 minutes ago

Julian Assange: The enigmatic WikiLeaks founder who divides opinion

30 minutes ago

Vikings Links: Could the Vikings sit JJ McCarthy for more than one season?

30 minutes ago

Chris Bowen lashes Coalition’s ‘half-baked yellow cake’ nuclear plan

30 minutes ago

Labor’s renewable plan ‘so well behind schedule’: Sussan Ley

30 minutes ago

Chiefs News: Kansas City to Partner With Hallmark on Original Romance Movie

30 minutes ago

'I Want To Be Ready!' Jets' McDonald Preparing for Breakout

30 minutes ago

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson explains controversial selection calls

30 minutes ago

Does Commanders 'Aggressive' Offseason Mean They Rank With Texans?

30 minutes ago

Dr Doireann O'Leary on the triggers that cause acne in women way past their teens