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The Philadelphia Phillies, with the help of Carlos Estevez, bounced back from their disappointing 7-2 defeat in the last game to shut out the Atlanta Braves in a 3-0 win on Saturday. The Phillies' All-Star closer restricted the Braves from scoring late in the game as Philadelphia took a 2-1 lead in the four-game homestand against the division rivals.
The former Los Angeles Angels pitcher was sent to the mound in the ninth inning to close the game with the Phillies leading 3-0. The All-Star closer did just that and after registering the save, broke into his signature Dragon Ball Z move, mimicking the 'Kamehameha.'
The Angels traded Carlos Estevez to the Phillies ahead of the trade deadline in July. He has been potent for the Phillies since he arrived in Philadelphia. He has allowed just three earned runs in his 12 appearances for the Phillies and boasts an overall 2.31 ERA with 23 saves this season (for both Angels and Phillies).
The 2023 All-Star had shed light on his celebration inspired by the popular anime 'Dragon Ball Z' in an interview with the Angels.
He explained:
"I think it's like an energy wave or something. For you to be able to make that move is a lot of training to get through. When you are finally able to manifest the energy, it's like a blast to eliminate the enemy."
Carlos Estevez finished off Zack Wheeler's milestone night
Although Carlos Estevez took home the plaudits for holding his nerve against the Braves hitters in the closing stage of the game, the stage for the shutout win was laid by veteran Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.
Wheeler has been lights-out for the Phillies this season and he was at his dominant best on Saturday, pitching seven scoreless innings and striking out seven hitters. The two-time All-Star registered his 100th win on the night and reflected on what it meant to do it against the Braves.
“It’s special,” Wheeler said per MLB.com. “No. 1 was against these guys and No. 100 was against these guys. … It’s been a long road, and just hard work and believing in myself and believing in the teams that I’ve been on.”
Wheeler's performance has further raised his stock in his pursuit of a maiden Cy Young Award while the Phillies continue to dominate the NL East with a six-game lead over the Braves.
