PHILADELPHIA — In his last start, on April 18 in Chicago, Zack Wheeler no-hit the White Sox through his first two innings, only to allow four runs on six soft hits in the third.
Wheeler later said that he felt some tightness in his back, but didn’t feel that there was much cause for concern. He got treatment in between innings and was able to pitch through the fifth. That context seemed relevant on Sunday, when a similar scene unfolded in the Phillies’ 9-3 win over the Rockies.
Wheeler allowed just one walk through his first three innings against Colorado. He struck out seven of the 10 batters he faced, matching his season-high strikeout record well before his day was over. But again, things spiraled about halfway through his outing.
