Game 43 - Phils Lose; Bold Prediction Made for J.T. Realmuto

Brewers 11, Phillies 3
Game 43 - Thursday Afternoon, May 16th in Philadelphia
Record - 24-19, 1st place, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  No Phillies pitcher was safe in this 11-3 decisive win by the Brewers.

What It Means:  The Phillies lost a series, their first series loss since late April against the Mets, and they'll try to regain their winning ways with a three-game weekend set against the Rockies at home.

What Happened:  Zach Eflin (5-4) gave up four runs on seven hits in five innings.  Four relievers then combined to allow seven more runs over the remaining four innings.  Other than a Jean Segura home run (4) in the first inning, Brewers starter Zach Davies had an easy outing.  The offense had just three more hits after Segura's homer.

Featured Card:  After this dismantling by the Brewers, J.T. Realmuto spent his off night signing autographs in Havertown at Carl's Cards & Collectibles.  (Scott Kingery was originally slated to appear as well, but his rehab assignment in Reading preempted his appearance.)  Doug and I made the trip west and stood in an impressively long line to get our Realmuto autographs. 

I had his first Phillies team-issued photo card signed while Doug opted to get his signature on a ball previously autographed by Carlos Ruiz.  I told Realmuto that was my son's ball for recent Phillies World Series catchers and the current Phillies catcher gave a slight smile.  "No pressure," I added.  He was kind enough to pose for a quick picture with Doug, and Doug's new Ruiz/Realmuto signed baseball now shares the top spot in his autographed ball collection with his Mike Trout signed baseball.