A Wise moment for the Phillies

As he often does during his time in Philadelphia, pitcher Rick Wise wins a game for the Phillies with his arm and his bat.

This time, Wise allows just four hits while also homering as the Phillies beat the Houston Astros 7-0 in a game 55 years ago today before a Saturday afternoon crowd of 3,113 at Connie Mack Stadium.

The shutout is the Phillies’ fourth straight, setting a modern-era franchise record.

The streak, though, ends less than 24 hours later when Houston’s Sandy Valdespino steals home off Phillies starter Billy Champion with two outs in the top of the first inning of what turns out to be a 3-2 victory for the Astros.

As for Wise, he hits 11 homers and wins 75 games over his seven seasons with the Phillies before a contract squabble at the outset of spring training 1972 leads to his trade to St. Louis for another contract squabbling pitcher.

The deal turns out most favorable for the Phillies as they trade a solid Rick Wise for a soon-to-be-spectacular Steve Carlton, who over the next 15 seasons goes on to win 241 games and four Cy Young Awards for the Phillies.