Wheeler and Stott lead Phillies to 5-2 win over Pirates

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Zack Wheeler pitched six shutout innings, Bryson Stott homered and drove in three runs, and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 on Saturday night.

Stott launched his fourth homer of the season off starter Carmen Mlodzinski (1-4) in the third and knocked in two runs an inning later with an opposite-field single.

Wheeler (5-1) posted another strong outing, allowing three hits and a walk. It was his second consecutive scoreless start, and he's gone 16 innings without giving up a run.

Bryce Harper had two hits and an RBI. Harper has reached base 11 times in his last 17 plate appearances, logging seven hits and four walks. Kyle Schwarber added an RBI double for the Phillies, who have won 14 of 19.

Mlodzinski lasted 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs and seven hits.

Pittsburgh didn't advance a runner to second base until Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run homer with one out in the ninth. The last-place Pirates are 3-12 in May.

Stott's single in the fourth stretched Philadelphia's lead to 4-0. It was notable because it came off lefty reliever Joey Wentz. The Phillies have not been starting Stott against left-handed pitchers. Stott entered the at-bat 6 for 28 (.214) against lefties this season.

Dating to August 2024, Wheeler has pitched at least six innings and allowed two runs or fewer in 19 of 21 starts.

Pirates ace Paul Skenes (3-4, 2.63 ERA) faces Phillies RHP Mick Abel on Sunday. Abel will be making his major league debut.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz looks on after being called out on strikes during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott, right, celebrates with shortstop Trea Turner, left, following a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott hits a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler delivers during the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Michael Olise scored twice as Bayern Munich started the new year by routing Wolfsburg 8-1 with six second-half goals to move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

Olise, Harry Kane and Luis Díaz picked apart the Wolfsburg defense on Sunday in a display of dominance which leaves Bayern firmly on course to defend the title in only the 16th game of the 34-game season.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany was pleased his players didn't let up.

“It’s these moments where it’s five, six, 7-1, and they keep running, they keep pressing and keep trying to score goals," he told broadcaster DAZN. "I have to say, I like that.”

In freezing temperatures for Bayern's first game since the winter break, Olise got a brace and Kane and Díaz one apiece, along with goals for substitutes Raphael Guerreiro and Leon Goretzka, and two Wolfsburg own-goals.

Bayern only had two nervous moments all game. The first was Dzenan Pejcinovic's goal for Wolfsburg in the 13th, which leveled the score at 1-1 after right back Konrad Laimer missed an interception.

The other was a brief injury scare for Kane, who needed treatment after being caught on the ankle by defender Moritz Jenz midway through the first half but was soon back in action.

It was Bayern's biggest margin of victory in a Bundesliga game since Kompany took over ahead of the 2024-25 season. His team has scored a remarkable 63 goals in 16 league games this season, nearly four per game, and conceded only 12.

Bayern hasn't lost a Bundesliga game since March and remains the only unbeaten team in any of Europe's five biggest leagues. Wolfsburg is 14th, three points above the relegation zone, as a troubled season hits a new low.

Bayern's closest rivals all had difficulties this weekend as second-place Borussia Dortmund drew 3-3 with Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen lost 4-1 to Stuttgart and Leipzig’s game was postponed due to snow.

Wolfburg's American midfielder Kevin Paredes entered in the 77th minute, his first match this season after recovering from foot surgery in August.

Also Sunday, United States full back Joe Scally scored his first goal since 2023 as Borussia Moenchengladbach beat Augsburg 4-0. Gladbach moved up two places to 10th after winning at home for only the second time this season.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Munich's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)

Munich's Michael Olise celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)

Mönchengladbach's Joe Scally, center, celebrates scoring with teammates during the Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Mönchengladbach - FC Augsburg in Mönchengladbach, Germany, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (Marius Becker/dpa via AP)

Munich's Michael Olise celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP)

Munich's Harry Kane celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)