Zack Wheeler logged six effective innings as the Philadelphia Phillies hung on for a 6-5 road victory against the Miami Marlins on Friday.

Bryson Stott hit a three-run homer for Philadelphia, which improved to 4-0 under interim manager Don Mattingly. Edmundo Sosa and Alec Bohm each added two hits and an RBI for the Phillies.

Wheeler (1-0), in his second start since missing more than eight months with a blood clot in his shoulder, allowed just a run and three hits. He walked two and struck out eight to earn his first win of the season.

Miami starter Eury Perez (2-3) was charged with two runs and four hits in five innings, walking two and striking out six. Otto Lopez had three hits and two RBIs to pace the Marlins’ offensive attack.

The Marlins trailed 6-4 in the ninth when Javier Sanoja drew a leadoff walk against Brad Keller. The right-hander rebounded to strike out the next two hitters – both on borderline calls – before Lopez drilled an RBI single to make it a one-run game. Kyle Stowers and Miami manager Clayton McCullough were ejected after Stowers was called out on strikes for the second out.

However, Keller induced Xavier Edwards into a game-ending flyout to record his first save of the season.

Miami jumped on Wheeler in the first inning, as back-to-back doubles by Lopez and Edwards staked the hosts to a 1-0 lead.

Philadelphia’s offense was quiet through the first three innings. However, the visitors were able to dent the scoreboard in the fourth, as Bohm delivered a two-out RBI single and Justin Crawford followed with a run-scoring double.

Wheeler ensured that Philadelphia maintained the lead, as he struck out a pair in the fourth and two more in the fifth. The right-hander retired the side 1-2-3 in the sixth to end his night after 94 pitches.

That set the stage for the Phillies’ four-run sixth. Bryce Harper’s one-out double began the rally. He came around to score on Sosa’s two-out single before Stott followed with a three-run homer to right-center off Cade Gibson, making it 6-1.

The Marlins clawed back with three runs in the eighth against the Phillies’ bullpen.

Miami’s first three hitters reached against Jonathan Bowlan, including a run-scoring infield hit by Lopez that made it 6-2. Two batters later, Liam Hicks’ sacrifice fly tacked on another run.

Philadelphia then turned to Jose Alvarado, who yielded an RBI single to Agustin Ramirez that brought the Marlins within 6-4.

–Field Level Media

Two weeks after playing to a draw, the Chicago Fire and visiting FC Cincinnati battle again on Saturday.

The 3-3 draw in Cincinnati on April 18 contributed to both teams’ ongoing unbeaten streaks in MLS play. FC Cincinnati (3-4-3, 12 points) are 1-0-3 in their last four regular-season matches, while the Fire are 4-0-1 in their last five.

Chicago (5-2-2, 17 points) did suffer a 2-1 home loss on Wednesday, when St. Louis City SC eliminated the Fire in the U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 16.

The Fire held leads in all three of their losses in all competitions this season, and also led 3-1 through 78 minutes against Cincinnati before settling for the draw.

Midfielder Anton Saletros told On Tap Sports Net on Wednesday that the Fire are “very, very hungry” for Saturday’s rematch.

“We had the three points against Cincinnati and they slipped through our fingers. We are very eager to play at home again and to keep pushing,” Saletros said.

In regular-season play, the Fire have outscored opponents 11-2 at home while posting a 4-1-0 record. FC Cincinnati are winless on the road this season (0-3-2), but unbeaten (4-0-1) in their last five matches in Chicago.

Cincinnati is tied for fifth in the league with 19 goals, but the team’s 23 goals allowed are the fourth-highest total in MLS. Chicago is tied for 10th in goals scored (17) while allowing the sixth-fewest goals (eight) in the league.

The April 18 result gives FC Cincinnati confidence that they can handle the well-rounded Fire.

“It’s … looking at how do they gain advantages to put this really strong attacking group in positions to make plays, and that’s what our focus is,” Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said. “Hopefully our attack continues and hopefully our defending improves to limit their strengths.”

Nick Hagglund and Matt Miazga were in full training this week, and Noonan said the defenders could return from leg injuries Saturday.

Hugo Cuypers leads Chicago with eight goals and Kevin Denkey leads Cincinnati with six. Both strikers have scored a brace in each of their last two regular-season matches.

–Field Level Media

RJ Barrett made a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in overtime Friday night as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 to force Game 7 of the first-round playoff series.

Barrett’s Kawhi-esque bucket from straight away hit the back of the rim, bounced high into the air and fell in between the mesh. The shot was from the same end of the court as Leonard’s four-bounce miracle during Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 playoffs.

Barrett, the Mississauga, Ontario, native, finished with 24 points. Ja’Kobe Walter also scored 24 to set up the deciding game Sunday at Cleveland.

Scottie Barnes had 25 points and 13 assists for the Raptors, and Collin Murray-Boyles contributed 17 points.

Evan Mobley had 26 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavaliers in a series in which the home team has won each game.

Donovan Mitchell added 24 points, and James Harden had 16 points, nine assists and four turnovers. Jarrett Allen scored 14 points, while Dean Wade contributed 10.

Toronto took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter. After two Cleveland defensive stops, Mitchell nailed a corner three and then made a driving layup to reduce the margin to three with 6:54 to go. Mobley’s rebound and dunk cut the lead to one with 5:48 left. A Barnes free throw had Toronto up by two with 1:17 left. Toronto’s shot-clock violation gave Cleveland possession with 0:16 left. Mobley’s layup tied the game at 104 with a layup with 0:12 to play in regulation. Jamal Shead missed a 17-footer to set up overtime.

After a Toronto turnover, Harden hit a 12-footer to give Cleveland a two-point lead. Barnes tied it at 108 with a floater with 1:25 left in overtime. Mitchell’s layup put Cleveland up by two with 0:34 left, and then Shead made one of two free throws to cut the lead to one. Mobley’s turnover gave Toronto the ball with 0:11 left to set up Barrett’s shot.

The game was tied at 32 after one quarter.

The Raptors led by nine points after Barnes spun around Harden before making a dunk with 7:04 left in the second quarter. Cleveland cut the lead to two before Toronto took a 61-51 halftime lead following Shead’s 3-pointer with 51 seconds remaining.

A Cleveland turnover led to Barrett’s running layup and a 15-point lead with 5:02 to play in the third quarter. Toronto led 92-81 after three quarters.

Toronto was without Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley.

–Field Level Media