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Zack Wheeler Ks Acuña as Phillies Beat Braves 4-2

9/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Zack Wheeler struck out Ronald Acuña Jr. to preserve a 4-2 win over the Atlanta Braves.
Wheeler allowed one run on three hits, two walks, and recorded nine strikeouts.
Ronald Acuña Jr. hit his 15th homer and received boos while dancing around the bases.
Phillies moved within four games of the Braves for the NL East lead.

History

Historical Context

After the Braves faced Zack Wheeler’s nine-strikeout start, the matchup echoed the 1975 World Series, when the Cincinnati Reds ended a 35-year championship drought by defeating the Boston Red Sox 4-3. That seven-game clash, highlighted by Luis Tiant’s dominant outings and Carlton Fisk’s walk-off homer, cemented the Red Sox’s “Curse of the Bambino” narrative that lingered until 2004.

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Story summary

Zack Wheeler struck out Ronald Acuña Jr. to preserve a 4-2 win over the Atlanta Braves.
Wheeler allowed one run on three hits, two walks, and recorded nine strikeouts.
Ronald Acuña Jr. hit his 15th homer and received boos while dancing around the bases.
Phillies moved within four games of the Braves for the NL East lead.

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