Monday, March 8, 2021

Spring Training Game 8 - 2019 Topps Gallery #124 JD Hammer

Yankees 4
, Phillies 0
Spring Training Game 8 - Sunday Afternoon, March 7th in Tampa
Record - 3-4-1

One Sentence Summary:  A second inning Brett Gardner grand slam off Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler was the only scoring in this game, a 4-0 loss to the Yankees.

What It Means:  Wheeler struggled, but he's healthy so we've got that going for us.  Officially, Wheeler went 2 1/3 innings and allowed 4 runs on 4 hits while walking 2.  Wheeler also struck out four.  This game was televised on the MLB Network and it was great to finally watch a ballgame on a spring-like sunny day.

What Happened:  The offense was quiet for the second day in a row, managing only five hits.  Two of those hits came from Matt Joyce, who is now batting .375 this spring.  At the top of the line-up, Andrew McCutchen, Didi Gregorius, Bryce Harper and Jean Segura went 0 for 11.

Featured Card:  Yesterday, I featured a card of the seemingly forgotten Enyel De Los Santos and today I'll feature another reliever who could still help the club in 2021 - JD Hammer.  Hammer never got the call from the Phillies last year, spending part of the summer with the team's taxi squad in Lehigh Valley.  He threw 2/3 of an inning in this game, striking out Giancarlo Stanton looking with a 97mph fastball.

Camp Head Count:  73 - The first injury of the spring struck the club as it was announced that Adam Haseley will miss at least four weeks with a strained groin.  Haseley, who had the inside track to be the Phillies' opening day center fielder, suffered the injury in the game against the Yankees on Friday.

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