BALTIMORE — Zack Wheeler made his big league debut in 2013 at age 23. Over his 10 seasons, the Phillies starter never allowed more than three home runs in a game — until Sunday, in an 8-3 loss to the Orioles.
It was an uncharacteristic start for him. Not only did he allow four home runs, but he picked up only four strikeouts, tying his second-lowest strikeout total in a game this season, and allowed two walks.
Wheeler typically induces a lot of ground balls, but on Sunday, the Orioles were driving the ball in the air. He finished his day after 4⅓ innings, allowing eight earned runs on nine hits. All of the runs he allowed came on homers.
It wasn’t his best day, but in fairness, home plate umpire Mike Estabrook was doing Wheeler no favors. A missed call in the first at-bat of the first inning led to Wheeler’s first home run allowed, to Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson.
It was a 2-2 count when Wheeler threw a sinker in the upper corner of the strike zone. Estabrook called it a ball, Henderson fouled off three more pitches, and hit the ninth pitch of the at-bat for a solo home run.
That set the tone for the rest of the day. There were other missed calls. In the fifth inning, with two outs and runners on the corners, Orioles starter Corbin Burnes worked Bryson Stott to an 0-2 count. His third pitch, a cutter, was just outside the strike zone. Stott took it for a ball, but Estabrook called it a strike, ending the inning.
Stott threw his arms up in exasperation. An inning later, frustration with Estabrook came to a head. In the sixth, with two outs and one on, Estabrook ruled that Garrett Stubbs was hit by a pitch. Stubbs jogged to first base, but after Orioles manager Brandon Hyde talked to Estabrook, the umpires reviewed it.
They reversed their call and Stubbs flied out to end the inning. Manager Rob Thomson, channeling his inner Earl Weaver, got in the face of Estabrook and was tossed shortly after. He continued to yell at Estabrook, even after the ejection, and retired down the dugout stairs shortly after.
There were some positive takeaways for the Phillies. Alec Bohm, who entered this Boston-Baltimore road trip batting .170/.222/.271 over his last 15 games, had his third multi-hit game in a row. Bohm went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a walk.
After Wheeler exited, Spencer Turnbull gave his team 2⅔ innings of strong work, allowing just one hit and one walk with four strikeouts. Seranthony Domínguez struck out the side in the eighth inning — retiring Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Ryan Mountcastle in order.
It was another lackluster day for the Phillies’ hitters with runners in scoring position. They went 2-for-14 in those situations. They tried to piece together a late rally in the ninth when Kyle Schwarber walked and Bryce Harper and Stott reached base on a fielding error and a throwing error. But Edmundo Sosa struck out to end the game.
