Zack Wheeler bounced back from a tough second inning to receive a no decision in his start against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night at Citi Field. Wheeler breezed through the first inning before giving up two walks, two doubles, a single, and a sacrifice fly in the second, all leading to four runs.
Despite this rough patch, Wheeler recovered to go six innings, giving up four runs, seven hits, three walks, and collecting four strikeouts.
Wheeler spoke on his second inning struggles in his post-game interview. “The second inning I was a little off out of the stretch and obviously walking the first two guys, walks will kill you every time. Starts with the walks and I need to get first pitch strikes.”
Wheeler’s velocity was down a bit on the cold night, he averaged 95.4 mph on his four-seamer compared to the 97.4 mph he was averaging coming into the game.
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Despite his ERA (5.05) being higher than desired, Wheeler has been able to get through six or more innings pitched in four of his first six starts. Extending into last season, Wheeler has thrown six or more innings in 10 of his previous 12 starts. Along with this, he has given up four or less runs in all four of those starts.
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Wheeler finished the month of April with a 4.70 ERA, 30.2 innings pitched, 16 earned runs, 16 walks, and 30 strikeouts.
