Zack Wheeler should have been greeted with a standing ovation from a packed Citizens Bank Park as he walked off the mound Wednesday night. For 95 pitches against his former team, the Phillies’ right-hander battled.
One week after his middle fingernail partially ripped off the nail bed, Wheeler gave his team exactly what it needed. A coat of nail hardener kept the nail intact, helping Wheeler not only set up the Phillies to win a meaningful game with only 12 left in the season, but also gave them hope he will avoid joining starters Jake Arrieta (hamstring) and Spencer Howard (shoulder) on the injured list.
“I didn’t know how far I could go or how long the nail was going to hold up, but I didn’t have any problems with it throughout the game,” Wheeler said afterward, “so I just kept on going.”
By the time manager Joe Girardi signaled to the bullpen, Wheeler had thrown 7 1/3 innings — his longest start in nine games…
