Wrobleski's velo ticks up in 7-inning gem with career-high 9 K's

LOS ANGELES -- When Justin Wrobleski rolled to a 5-0 start earlier this season, his incredible run was defined by a combination of minimal swing-and-miss and plenty of harmless contact.

So in a sense, the way Wrobleski pitched on Friday night against the Phillies -- striking out a career-high nine batters and giving up one hit -- was a departure. But it was perhaps the most dominant he's looked all season.

Wrobleski's seven strong innings of one-run ball set the tone as the Dodgers beat the Phillies, 4-2, for their season-high sixth straight win. The 25-year-old left-hander outdueled Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler, who surrendered four solo homers across six innings in the series opener at Dodger Stadium.

From the beginning, it was clear that Wrobleski was locked in when he struck out the side in the first inning. Those three strikeouts -- and the six that followed -- all came on his fastball, which averaged 94.9 mph, up from his season average of 93.7.

Through five innings, Wrobleski did not allow a hit, and the only thing that kept him from being perfect was a Trea Turner fly ball that dropped between center fielder Andy Pages and right fielder Kyle Tucker, glancing off Tucker's glove just in front of the warning track. The play was ruled an error on Tucker.

Wrobleski got to two outs in the sixth inning before giving up his first hit of the game to Kyle Schwarber, who hit his Major League-leading 22nd home run. But across his seven innings, Wrobleski allowed just the one hit and two baserunners.