Phillies’ Zack Wheeler Dominates Reds: Complete Game, 12 Ks Seal Series Win

By Oliver Wiener July 08, 2025 21:12

On July 6, 2025, Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler delivered a masterclass on the mound, pitching a near-perfect complete game to lead his team to a 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. Wheeler’s dominant performance, featuring 12 strikeouts and just one hit allowed, not only secured the Phillies’ series win but also made a compelling case for his selection as the National League All-Star Game starter.

Wheeler faced just 28 batters, one over the minimum, in his fifth career complete game and his first since August 2021. The only blemish on an otherwise flawless outing was a solo home run by former Phillie Austin Hays in the top of the fifth inning. Aside from that, Wheeler was untouchable, retiring 27 of 28 batters and walking none. Phillies manager Rob Thomson praised the performance, saying, “He was just dominant. Everything working: control, command, whatever. Everything was great”.

The Phillies’ offense provided timely support, with second baseman Bryson Stott delivering a crucial two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 1-1 tie. The crowd of 42,055 erupted as Wheeler returned to the mound for the ninth inning, chanting “Let’s go Wheeler!” in unison. Wheeler responded by striking out Will Benson, inducing a flyout from Santiago Espinal, and finishing the game with a flyout to left field, sealing the 3-1 win.

Wheeler’s efficiency was notable he threw exactly 100 pitches through eight innings and finished with 108 pitches after the ninth. His strike percentage was exceptional, consistently hitting the strike zone and keeping Reds hitters off balance with a mix of cutters and fastballs averaging 92.4 mph and a spin rate of 2592 rpm on his cutter.

The Phillies’ designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, also named an All-Star alongside Wheeler, lauded his teammate’s performance: “He was in complete control of the game. The crowd gets up, starts chanting his name. We had goosebumps, and I feel like he felt that and this really pushed him to the finish line”.

This dominant outing came on the same day MLB announced the full All-Star rosters, cementing Wheeler’s place in Atlanta. His 12 strikeouts and near no-hitter performance made a strong statement for why he should start the Midsummer Classic. Wheeler himself humbly acknowledged the moment: “It’d be really cool. It’d be an honor, for sure”.

The victory also marked a significant boost for the Phillies as they head into the second half of the season. With a 3-1 series win over the Reds, Philadelphia improved their standing and momentum. Wheeler is expected to pitch again soon, with the team traveling to San Francisco for a three-game series starting Monday, followed by a series in San Diego.

Zack Wheeler’s complete game gem was a showcase of pitching excellence command, power, and poise under pressure. His 12 strikeouts and one-hit performance not only secured a critical series win but also electrified the Phillies’ faithful and reinforced his status as one of the National League’s premier pitchers. As Wheeler said after the game, “Yeah, it was a good day”, and for Phillies fans, it was a great one.