Wheeler, Clemens lead Phillies past Tigers 3-2 for 5th straight win
Kody Clemens celebrates with Brandon Marsh, Josh Harrison, J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, and Garrett Stubbs after hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Citizens Bank Park on June 8, 2023 in Philade ((Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images))
PHILADELPHIA - 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).
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 in a row 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Dombroski 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 Dodgers RHP Michael Grove (0-2, 8.14).