Wheeler strikes out 10 in 8 innings to lead Phillies past Padres 4-0

By: Dan Gelston, The Associated Press Posted: 8:11 PM CDT Monday, Jun. 30, 2025

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Zack Wheeler struck out 10 in eight innings, Nick Castellanos homered and the Philadelphia Phillies won in Bryce Harper’s return to the lineup, 4-0 over the San Diego Padres on Monday night.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Harper was hit by a pitch on the left foot, walked and lined into an unassisted double play as part of a 0-for-2 night in his first game since June 5. Harper returned from a nearly month-long layoff with right wrist inflammation to start at first base and bat third.

Wheeler (8-3) tossed six-hit ball and did not walk a batter in another sterling outing for the NL East leaders.

Philadelphia Phillies' Zack Wheeler pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Monday, June 30, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill did his part to keep the game from getting totally out of hand in the third when he reached well over the wall in straightaway center and robbed Max Kepler of a three-run homer.

The rest of the game was all Philadelphia.

If Merrill made the play of game, Bryson Stott was right him behind for the Phillies. After he walked and stole second base, Stott hustled home on Brandon Marsh’s grounder to first and scored on a head-first slide for a 2-0 lead. Marsh scored on Trea Turner’s infield single to make it 3-0.

Castellanos’ solo shot off Padres starter Matt Waldron in the fifth made it 4-0. Waldron (0-1) made his season debut after the knuckleballer spent all season on the injured list with left oblique strain. He walked six in 4 2/3 innings.

Key moment

With runners on first and second and one out in the fifth, Wheeler got pinch-hitter Trenton Brooks to line into a double play. Brooks hit one to Stott at second base and he flipped the ball to Turner at the bag to complete the inning-ending play.

Key stat