Game 18 - 2018 Topps Now Spring Training #ST-10 Jake Arrieta

Phillies 7, Pirates 0
Game 18 - Thursday Night, April 19th in Philadelphia
Record - 11-7, Tied for 2nd place, 2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Jake Arrieta dominated and Cesar Hernandez hit a 3-run single as the Phillies cruised to a 7-0 win over the Pirates.

What It Means:  The Hernandez single was impressive and it was also his 500th career hit.  With two outs in the second and runners breaking on contact, Hernandez singled to center with Nick Williams, Scott Kingery and the speedy J.P. Crawford scoring in quick succession.  Hernandez became the first Phillie to collect a 3-run single since Jose Cardenal did it in 1978.

What Happened:  Arrieta allowed just an infield hit and struck out 10 in his seven innings of work.  Rhys Hoskins started the scoring in the second with his third home run of the year.

The Phillies wore their baby blue throwback uniforms at home for the first time in game action since 1972.

2018 Chachi
Friendly Encounters #2

Featured Card:  This is Arrieta's first official Phillies baseball card from the Topps Now Spring Training set.  According to the Topps website, only 376 of these cards were sold.  I'm banking on Arrieta having a few more Phillies baseball cards before his time with the team is done.

Field Report:  I could be wrong, but I believe this is the coldest I've ever been at a Phillies game.  It was very cold and very windy and I'll admit Doug and I didn't stay that long.  This was our first time seeing Arrieta pitch for the Phillies in person and we enjoyed watching the five-run second inning.  Doug posted himself by the Phillies dugout for about an hour before game time, and only Hector Neris came over to sign for him.  We also took a picture with Gary "Sarge" Matthews and Doug was very proud of the selfies he took with each member of the Galapagos Gang in Ashburn Alley.