PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies ace Zack Wheeler has been one of the best free-agent signings in franchise history.
He continued to make his mark on Tuesday night against the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park. Wheeler not only struck out the side in the first inning, but he struck out Brice Turang for the 2,000th strikeout of his career.
Wheeler is the 96th pitcher in MLB history to reach 2,000 strikeouts. Wheeler’s teammate Aaron Nola reached the 2,000-strikeout mark earlier this season. They are the second pair of teammates to reach that mark in the same season. Tim Hudson and Jake Peavy first did it with the 2014 Giants.
Of course, Wheeler didn’t stop at Turang. He struck out the first seven batters he faced to set a new franchise record, surpassing Brandon Duckworth, who struck out six consecutive Dodgers on Aug. 5, 2002, at Veterans Stadium.
Wheeler entered Tuesday’s start 13-5 with a 2.99 ERA. It could be his final start of the regular season, although his next turn in the rotation would be Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Rays. But if the Phillies have clinched a postseason berth by then, Wheeler could be held back to start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series on Tuesday.