3 Shocking Stats from Phillies Shutout Win Against Dodgers

The Philadelphia Phillies salvaged their series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday evening, winning 2-0 in large part thanks to starting pitcher Zack Wheeler, first baseman Rhys Hoskins, and the team’s bullpen.

1. Zack Wheeler earned just his second road win in a Phillies uniform.

There is no doubt that Wheeler has become the Phillies ace in 2021, and could be on his way to Cy Young Award consideration come the end of the season. Tossing six scoreless innings against the Dodgers, he earned just his second road win since joining the Phillies last year.

Despite allowing just 11 combined earned runs through 25 2/3 innings, Wheeler went 0-2 in four road starts last season: opposite the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Washington Nationals, and Tampa Bay Rays.

This season, the right-hander had gone 1-2 through his first five road starts — against the Braves, Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Nationals, and Rays. But it’s not for lack of effectiveness; across 32 combined innings, Wheeler allowed just 12 earned runs.

In both of Wheeler’s two road wins as a Phillie, he received just two supporting runs from the offense. On April 26, he dominated in a 2-1 win against the Cardinals, tossing eight one-run innings while allowing just a hit and three walks.

2. The Phillies handed the Dodgers their first shutout loss since 2019.

The defending World Series champion Dodgers suffered their first shutout loss in 139 regular-season games dating back to mid-September 2019. It was their first shutout loss in exactly 162 games overall, including postseason contests.

Phillies pitchers combined to hold the Dodgers to just five hits, all singles. Leadoff hitter Mookie Betts went 0-for-4 with a walk and strikeout, lowering his season slash line to .253/.368/.454.

3. Rhys Hoskins snaps slump, just shy of Phillies record.

First baseman Rhys Hoskins accounted for exactly half of the game’s two runs scored, and such production could not have come at a better time. Homering on a full-count slider opposite future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw in the top of the first, Hoskins snapped an 0-for-33 skid.

Had Hoskins gone hitless in three more at-bats, he would have broke Ryan Howard’s franchise record for 35 straight hitless at-bats, set six years ago.