Sep 11, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos (8) high fives pitcher Carlos Estevez (53) after a victory against the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
On Tuesday, Nick Castellanos got mad.
On Wednesday, he got even.
One day after Rays pitcher Edwin Uceta hit Castellanos with a 96 mph sinker and ignited a benches-clearing altercation, the Phillies outfielder hit a two-run homer in a 3-2 Phils win. Zack Wheeler picked up his 15th win, the Phillies finished off a series sweep, and the team's magic number to clinch the division dropped to 9.
Here's the Castellanos bomb, with Nick Piccone adding audio from the Rays' radio network:
How Nick Castellanos' 1st inning dinger sounded on Rays radio, brought to you by Spectrum. They built the network you need for whatever future you want. TV, internet, voice, and mobile. Spectrum dot com today to learn more. Oh they're already... all right so that took 2 seconds pic.twitter.com/EcW4CNk4sq
That's a pretty good way to get some revenge.
According to https://t.co/vTNbPRILIt, The pitch Uceta threw to hit Castellanos was the hardest throw of his MLB career. https://t.co/72aAWv0TPz
Nick Castellanos says Kevin Cash apologized to him before tonight’s game and he appreciated it. @OnPattison @PhilliesNation pic.twitter.com/eonDVPNFMi
Will the Rays never learn? (Ok, this one was unintentional.)
Boos in Philadelphia after Nick Castellanos gets hit again pic.twitter.com/Tc3jUcCwjS
On the mound, Zack Wheeler held the Rays to two runs in six innings.
Zack Wheeler, 96mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/7UnTpsXeR2
Zack Wheeler just allowed a leadoff triple then proceeded to strike the next three batters out. Insane.
Wheeler didn't have everything working, but there were still enough pitches in his repertoire to keep hitters guessing:
Yesterday - Most Chases Generated
Zack Wheeler: 23 Chases
Hunter Brown: 22 Chases
Bailey Falter: 20 Chases
Blake Snell: 17 Chases
Michael King: 16 Chases
Matthew Boyd: 16 Chases
Max Fried: 16 Chases
Sean Manaea: 16 Chases
Nick Pivetta: 15 Chases
Zack Wheeler has a 1.76 ERA and 60K over his last 9 starts #Phillies #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/MdD1UoYxzF
The NL CY Young race between Zack Wheeler (15-6, 2.60 ERA) and Chris Sale (16-3, 2.38 ERA) is down to the wire
Both have a few starts left
Chris Sale starts 9/14 vs Jack Flaherty and the Dodgers. LAD can you help Zack Wheeler out??? light up Sale👀🫣 #MLB #RingtheBell
Smell ya later, Tampa. The Phillies are off on Thursday before beginning a three-game home series against the Mets this weekend. They'll have a chance to pretty much put the division away.
Anyway, here's this:
— Phillies Muse (@Phillies_Muse) September 11, 2024
