Zack Wheeler Leads Thrilling 11-4 Win Over Blue Jays
South Philadelphia – June 15, 2025 – Father’s Day at the ballpark turned into a cherished memory as the Philadelphia Phillies delivered an 11-4 thrashing of the Toronto Blue Jays, securing their fifth sweep of the season. Despite a chilly, damp Sunday, the Phillies sent fans home jubilant, boosting their season series record to 16-7-1—second only to the Detroit Tigers in MLB. Trending on X with #PhillyFatherDay, this victory capped a stellar 5-1 homestand.
Zack Wheeler dominated with 6.0 innings, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out nine—his fourth outing this season with nine-plus strikeouts and no walks. The offense wasted no time, exploding in the first inning. Trea Turner doubled on the first pitch from José Berríos, and Kyle Schwarber drove him in with a single on the next pitch.
Rookie Otto Kemp, debuting at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, has quickly won over the Philly faithful. Alec Bohm drove him home with a third-inning single, and Kemp later added two RBI. Over six home games, Kemp tallied 10 hits and four RBI. “It’s nice to chip in where I can, trying to be a table-setter, really just do whatever the game is asking me to do,” Kemp said after a four-hit day. “That’s been the mentality, just seeing what the game is telling me to do on any given at-bat and try to execute and pass it off to the next guy. I feel like we’ve done a really good job with team baseball the last couple days.”
Bohm, meanwhile, is on fire, notching his fourth multi-hit game of the homestand with three RBI and a 344-ft two-run homer. With 10 hits, two homers, and nine RBI, his average has soared from a dismal .217 in early May to .283.
A quirky twist emerged in manager Rob Thomson’s office, where a bamboo plant—echoing a 2019 tradition with “Bamboo” Brad Miller—has returned. Thomson recounted the lore: “She said, ‘Let me take that home, get it some sunlight and bring it back to you,’” referring to hitting coach Kevin Long’s wife, Marcey, on May 29, before a rough stretch against the Brewers. “The last day in Pittsburgh, Long called Marcey, and he said, ‘You better get that damn thing back in (Thomson’s) office,’” Thomson added with a laugh. Since its return, the Phillies are 5-1. Coincidence or magic? Nick Castellanos’ sixth-inning grand slam sealed the sweep, fueling the bamboo buzz.
For many, Father’s Day ties baseball to family, and this win was a perfect tribute. “That’s the story of our success,” Thomson quipped. With the crowd roaring and the team clicking, the Phillies are heating up at the right time.