MIAMI Zack Wheeler was given an early cushion on Sunday afternoon at loanDepot park, as the Phillies handed him a three-run lead before he even threw a pitch. Fans behind the visitors' dugout likely felt confident about the outcome, as did those watching the game from home. The Marlins, struggling with one of the worst offenses in baseball, seemed like the perfect opponent for Wheeler, who has been one of the league's top pitchers this season.

But things didnt go as planned. Wheeler struggled mightily in a 10-inning 7-6 loss https://www.philliesplayerfanstore.com/richie_ashburn_jersey-29, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks over just four innings. He struck out only two, and his day was marked by a wild pitch and a hit batter on a curveball with an 0-2 count.

"It was just one of those days, " Wheeler reflected. "They came out aggressive, and I wasnt able to command the ball like I usually do. They got to me. I just didnt have it today."

Despite his usual dominance, Wheeler found himself in a tough spot. "Nothing felt physically off, " he said. "I just couldnt get things together. Normally, when youre off, you can feel something maybe pulling off or something else. But today, I felt good. I just wasnt quite hitting my spots, and that was frustrating."

Wheeler struggled through a 30-pitch second inning, where he allowed a run after walking two batters. When Josh Bell walked and Jesus Snchez followed with a ground-rule double, Wheeler had a few disagreements with catcher Garrett Stubbs, who was filling in for J.T. Realmuto, nursing a sore knee. The Phillies were cautious with Realmuto, though the injury isn't considered serious, and he could have played if necessary.

Stubbs had not caught Wheeler since last season, and they had some miscommunication during the game. Wheeler noted, "I usually throw to J.T., but its not a big deal. We werent on the same page at times, but its on me. I walked too many batters, and thats something I need to fix."

After an efficient inning by Marlins pitcher Braxton Garrett, who needed only eight pitches to retire the Phillies in the third, Wheeler was quickly back on the mound in the hot and humid conditions. He acknowledged the challenge: "Its up to me to deal with it, throw strikes, and get outs. But yeah, its tough when youre not quite used to it, and it catches up with you quickly."

Things took a turn in the third inning when Wheeler gave up a three-run homer to Josh Bell on a 3-2 cutter. The homer, which put the Marlins ahead 4-3, was Bell's fourth career home run against Wheeler. Only Cody Bellinger has hit more off him.

Wheeler took a moment to ask the home plate umpire about a 2-1 pitch earlier in the at-bat that seemed like a strike but was called a ball. The exchange was brief and calm. "I just had a couple of questions, " Wheeler explained. "No fighting, just a quick conversation."

The Phillies managed to tie the game in the sixth, but they couldnt come through in the clutch later on. In the 10th inning, Gregory Soto took the mound and gave up a ball that deflected off his rear end Kyle Schwarber Jersey, allowing the Marlins to score the winning run.

Despite the chance for a sweep, the Phillies came up short, with Wheeler not delivering his best outing. "Its frustrating, " Wheeler said. "I just didnt have it today."

Phillies manager Rob Thomson acknowledged the tough loss, saying, "It was just one of those days."



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