Sunday, March 24, 2019

Grapefruit Game 29 - 2016 Topps Heritage #537 Phil Gosselin

Pirates 5, Phillies 3
Spring Training Game 29 - Saturday Afternoon, March 23rd in Bradenton
Record - 12-14-3

One Sentence Summary:  Zach Eflin took the loss in his final start of the spring as the Pirates downed the Phillies, 5-3.

What It Means:  Eflin pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing 5 runs on 4 hits while striking out 6.  Three of the hits went for extra bases, including two home runs, doing all the damage.

What Happened:  Victor Arano continued his nightmare spring, allowing another run in 2/3 of an inning.

Featured Card:  Every year, it seems as if there's a player who has a red hot spring and despite his best efforts, he's not going to make the club.  This year, that player is Phil Gosselin who had two more hits in this game, including his second home run, raising his spring average to .410.  The local product (West Chester) should hopefully get the call to the big leagues at some point this season.

Through Sunday, Gosselin is leading the team in spring hits with 17 and he's hitting .415.

Camp Head Count:  33 - 3 = 30.  Before the game, Jerad Eickhoff was optioned to the IronPigs.  Like Drew Anderson, I have to imagine Eickhoff will make a start for the Phillies at some point this season.  Following the game, relievers Arano and Yacksel Rios were both also optioned to Triple-A.  Arano had one of the worst springs in recent memory, compiling a 45.00 ERA by allowing 20 runs in 4 innings pitched over 7 games.

1 comment:

Steve F. said...

"Arano had one of the worst springs in recent memory" is being gentle.... Hopefully he works it out in AAA because he was a solid contributor in the pen the last two seasons.