WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Zack Wheeler threw seven scoreless innings, Alec Bohm and Luis Arraez each drove in a run, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 3-0 on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at Nationals Park.

Wheeler improved to 13-5 after allowing four hits, walking one and striking out five. He worked around a Daylen Lile single in the first, another Lile single in the third and a CJ Abrams double in the fourth. Wheeler also escaped a sixth-inning walk to Abimelec Ortiz by getting Abrams to ground into an inning-ending double play. The performance followed a strong recent run in which Wheeler allowed one earned run over seven innings against Houston on Sept. 10 and one earned run over six innings against Atlanta on Sept. 5. Wheeler has been Philadelphia’s most reliable starter, and the win moved him to 13-5 while keeping the Phillies in position in the late-season standings.

Philadelphia gave Wheeler support in the first. Kyle Schwarber lined out to second baseman Abrams to open the game, but Trea Turner walked, Bryce Harper walked and Arraez walked to load the bases. Bohm then lined a single to center fielder Dylan Crews that scored Turner and kept the bases loaded. Bryson Stott walked, forcing in Harper for the second run. J.T. Realmuto struck out swinging and Brandon Marsh flew out to Crews, ending the inning with Philadelphia ahead 2-0.

Washington had chances to answer. In the bottom of the first, James Wood lined out sharply to Marsh before Lile singled to center. Ortiz grounded out to Arraez at second, moving Lile to second, and Abrams grounded out to Arraez to end the inning. In the second, José Tena struck out swinging, Jorbit Vivas lined out to Crawford in center and Crews singled on a ground ball to Turner before Keibert Ruiz grounded out to Arraez. The Nationals put a runner on in the third when Lile singled softly to Wheeler, but Ortiz struck out swinging to end the threat.

Bohm finished 2 for 2 with one RBI and two walks, reaching base repeatedly from the middle of the order. Arraez went 1 for 2 with one RBI and four walks, and his double to center field scored Harper for Philadelphia’s final run. Harper singled, walked and scored once. Turner scored the first run after drawing a walk, and Stott drove in a run with his first-inning walk. The Phillies finished with five hits. Justin Crawford doubled in the sixth inning but was stranded. Philadelphia also loaded the bases in the ninth against Yovanny Cruz, but Realmuto lined into a double play that ended the threat when Cruz fielded the ball and threw to first baseman Ortiz to double off Stott.

In the top of the second, Crawford flew out to Wood in right, Schwarber popped out to shortstop Nasim Nuñez and Turner grounded out softly to pitcher Riley Cornelio. Philadelphia threatened again in the third when Arraez walked and Bohm walked, but Stott grounded into a force out and Realmuto flew out to Wood. In the fourth, Marsh struck out, Crawford grounded out to Dion and Schwarber walked before Turner struck out. In the fifth, Harper flew out to Lile, Arraez grounded out to Nuñez and Bohm singled before Stott flew out to Wood.

Washington’s bullpen kept the Nationals close after the early damage. Will Dion pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and no earned runs while striking out three. Riley Cornelio followed with 2 2/3 hitless, scoreless innings and one strikeout. Luis Perales worked two hitless innings with two strikeouts. Yovanny Cruz retired both batters he faced in two-thirds of an inning. Richard Lovelady allowed one earned run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning and was charged with the final Philadelphia run. The Nationals’ relief corps combined to hold Philadelphia to three hits after the first inning, but the early deficit proved decisive.

Washington starter Jared Simpson took the loss and fell to 1-1. The Nationals managed four hits, with Abrams providing the only extra-base hit on a sharp double to center in the fourth. Lile had two singles, and Crews added a single. Washington’s best chance came in the fourth when Abrams doubled and moved to third on José Tena’s groundout, but Jorbit Vivas struck out and Crews flew out to left fielder Marsh. In the sixth, Ortiz walked, but Abrams grounded into a double play started by Bohm and turned by Turner. In the seventh, Wheeler retired the side, striking out Tena and Crews around a Vivas groundout. In the eighth, Andrés Chaparro walked, but James Wood lined out to Arraez and Lile flew out to Marsh.

Washington’s defense turned double plays to stay close. In the seventh, after Arraez doubled home Harper and Bohm walked, Stott grounded into a double play from Abrams to Nuñez to Ortiz. In the ninth, Realmuto’s line drive turned into a double play from Cruz to Ortiz. The Nationals also got a confirmed replay call in the seventh when Tena was called out on strikes. Philadelphia’s pitching staff closed the door. José Alvarado pitched a scoreless eighth, allowing no hits and striking out one while working around a walk. Jhoan Duran then earned his 31st save with a perfect ninth, striking out two. Duran struck out Ortiz on a foul tip and Tena swinging, with Abrams popping out to Stott at third. Duran’s 1-2-3 inning sealed the victory. The Phillies’ pitchers combined for 16 strikes, 70 balls and 16 balls in play. Washington’s pitchers combined for 18 strikes, 45 balls and 18 balls in play.

The game took 2 hours, 54 minutes and drew an announced attendance of 23,007. Philadelphia improved to 84-68. Washington dropped to 71-82. Philadelphia had beaten Atlanta on Sept. 13 before losing Tuesday. Washington had swept the Los Angeles Angels in a three-game series before beating Philadelphia on Tuesday. The Phillies answered that series-opening loss with the shutout. Philadelphia is scheduled to continue its road trip at the New York Mets on Thursday. Washington is off Thursday before beginning a series at St. Louis on Friday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Philadelphia 4, Washington 3. Interstat’s ELO system gave Philadelphia a 59.7 percent probability to win. Philadelphia was installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The total score of 3 went over the over-under line of 7.5.