Wheeler, Clemens lead Phillies past Tigers for fifth straight win
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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Zack Wheeler took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, Kody Clemens came through with a game-ending single and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied past the Detroit Tigers 3-2 on Thursday night for their fifth victory in a row.
Brandon Marsh tied it in the ninth with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly for the defending NL champion Phillies (30-32).
“These guys never quit,” Wheeler said.
Nick Maton hit a go-ahead single in the top of the ninth after Tyler Nevin broke up Wheeler’s no-hit bid with one out in the eighth for the Tigers, who lost their sixth straight and eighth in the last nine.
Bryce Harper led off the bottom of the ninth with a double off Alex Lange (3-2), and Trea Turner walked. After J.T. Realmuto struck out, Bryson Stott loaded the bases with an infield single. Marsh tied it on a liner to deep left field before Clemens laced a 96 mph sinker into right to score Turner from second.
“It was amazing,” Clemens said. “Got a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on it.”
Clemens’ dad, Roger, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner, watched from the stands. Afterward, he tweeted: “Yes sir!” He added a flex and fire emoji.
“He was probably as locked into the game as much as I was,” Kody Clemens said.
The game originally was scheduled for Wednesday night but was postponed due to poor air quality caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires. The smoky smell that was present the previous two days in Philadelphia dissipated, and the sky became more clear as the game went on.
Wheeler retired Akil Baddoo on a grounder to begin the eighth. Jonathan Schoop then hit a chopper to third baseman Josh Harrison, and Clemens couldn’t hold onto Harrison’s one-hop throw to first that would’ve had Schoop. Harrison was charged with a throwing error.
“I have to make that play,” Clemens said.
Nevin then lined a sharp single to right field, moving pinch-runner Jake Marisnick to third and ending Wheeler’s night after 108 pitches. He struck out eight, walked one and hit a batter.
“Pace was good, pitches were working,” Wheeler said.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said he would've let Wheeler throw 120 pitches at most if the no-hitter was still intact.
“He was really good, really efficient,” Thomson said.
Detroit tied it 1-all on Zack Short’s bunt single that caromed high to reliever Seranthony Dominguez. It appeared Dominguez had enough time to get Marisnick racing home, but Dominguez pivoted toward first base. Clemens was charging toward the plate and Stott was late covering the bag from second as Marisnick scored and Short was safe.
Javier Báez led off the ninth with a single against Craig Kimbrel (4-1) and went to second when the closer made a throwing error on a pickoff attempt. Maton gave the Tigers the lead by driving a single into right field.
“Hurts all around,” Short said. “Just got to figure something out one way or another.”
CHEERS FOR CABRERA
The Phillies honored retiring Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera before the game. Phillies president David Dombrowski presented the two-time MVP and 12-time All-Star with a photo collage. Dombrowski was general manager of the Marlins when the club signed Cabrera and was the Tigers’ GM when Detroit acquired him prior to the 2008 season. In addition, former Phillies slugger Ryan Howard and current Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos presented Cabrera the Tigers’ “DET” sign from the out-of-town scoreboard that was signed by Dombrowski and several members of the Phillies.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: RHP Beau Brieske (right upper arm discomfort) tossed one perfect inning, with two strikeouts, in his first rehab start at Class A West Michigan on Wednesday night. … OF Kerry Carpenter (right shoulder sprain) had a hit and an RBI on Wednesday during a rehab game at Triple-A Toledo.
Phillies: LHP José Alvarado (left elbow inflammation) will be activated before Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alvarado has been out since May 8.
UP NEXT
Tigers: Detroit begins a six-game homestand by hosting Arizona on Friday night. Tigers RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-2, 3.21 ERA) is scheduled to face Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (7-3, 2.80).
Phillies: Philadelphia completes its six-game homestand with a three-game set against the Dodgers that begins Friday night. Phillies LHP Ranger Suárez (1-2, 5.47 ERA) opposes Los Angeles RHP Michael Grove (0-2, 8.14).
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