Thursday, July 24, 2014

2011 Topps Tier One #73 Hunter Pence

Giants 3, Phillies 1
Game 101 - Wednesday Night, July 23rd in Philadelphia
Record - 43-58, 5th Place, 13 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Jonathan Papelbon failed again in the ninth inning as the Giants won their third in a row against the Phillies, 3-1.

What It Means:  I'm writing this knowing that (SPOILER ALERT) the Phillies already won their game this afternoon, so I'm much happier than I was at about 11:30 last night.  But man is Papelbon frustrating.  We're trying to trade you, dude!  Pitch like you're trying to get traded!  This whole team is frustrating.

What Happened:  A.J. Burnett pitched a fantastic ballgame, outlasting an hour long rain delay and throwing eight shutout innings.  He threw a season high 131 pitches while allowing only four hits.  Unfortunately, while he was holding the Giants scoreless, Madison Bumgarner was doing the same to the Phillies offense.

Papelbon entered the scoreless game in the ninth and loaded the bases with a hit by pitch, an intentional walk and an unintentional walk.  Hunter Pence doubled with the bases loaded and Papelbon's trade value took yet another hit.

Featured Card:  "Why would they trade Hunter Pence," is a question my oldest son Doug has asked throughout the series.  I think I knew the answer to this question at one point, but I've since forgotten it.  Following his big double in this game, Pence was 7 for 17 (.412) in the series with a home run and six RBIs.

Transactions:  Prior to this game, Carlos Ruiz was activated off the disabled list and reliever Phillippe Aumont was recalled from the IronPigs.  Jeff Manship was designated for assignment and catcher Cameron Rupp was sent back to Lehigh Valley.

1 comment:

Kaiser The Great said...

Wow baby face Hunter Pence.