The Phillies Room: August 2021

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Game 131 - 2021 Topps Allen & Ginter #44 Bryce Harper

Phillies 7, Nationals 4
Game 131 - Monday Night, August 30th in Washington
Record - 67-64, 2nd Place, 3 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary: The Phillies and Zack Wheeler powered through in Washington for a 7-4 win over the Nationals.

What It Means: The Braves lost in Los Angeles, so the Phillies are 3 1/2 games behind them for the division lead. They're three back in the second wild card race with the Reds, Padres and Cardinals all in front of them.

What Happened: Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run in the first inning, his 26th, to start the scoring for the Phillies. Ronald Torreyes had a huge three-run triple in the third to give the Phillies a 6-2 lead. Brad Miller added an insurance run with a solo home run in the fifth, and Miller had a three-hit game.

Wheeler didn't have his best stuff, but he battled through six innings, allowing four runs on five hits. Connor Brogdon, Archie Bradly and Jose Alvarado held the Nationals scoreless over the final three innings with Alvarado delivering his fifth save.

Featured Card: Harper continues to carry the offense and his 1.008 OPS currently leads the majors ahead of Fernando Tatis, Jr. (1.007) and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (1.006). If the Phillies are able to squeak into the postseason, Harper should deservedly get some MVP consideration. And if he continues his hot hitting into September, he should hopefully be the frontrunner for the award.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

2021 Chachi #64 Freddy Galvis

#8
Freddy Jose Galvis
Infield

Bats:  Both Throws:  Right  Height: 5'10" Weight:  190
Opening Day Age: 31
Born:  November 14, 1989, Punto Fijo, Venezuela
How Obtained:  Acquired from the Baltimore Orioles for Tyler Burch, July 30, 2021
Contract Status:  Signed through 2021
Major League Teams: Philadelphia Phillies 2012-2017; San Diego Padres 2018; Toronto Blue Jays 2019; Cincinnati Reds 2019-2020; Baltimore Orioles 2021; Philadelphia Phillies 2021

First Phillies Card: 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP149
First Phillies Minor League Card: 2007 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #8
First Phillies Team Issued Card: 2012 Phillies Team Issue First Edition #13

Newest Card Added: 2021 Topps Heritage #283

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (8): 2014-2021

51 - Galvis baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/29/21.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2011 Chachi Almost #4
2012 Chachi #8
2013 Chachi #11
2013 Chachi #39 HL - Walk-Off HR
2014 Chachi #35
2015 Chachi #8
2016 Chachi Preview #5
2016 Chachi #8
2016 Chachi #66 RBI Leaders
2016 Chachi Archives #13
2016 Chachi Photo Day #15
2017 Chachi Preview #5
2017 Chachi #8
2017 Chachi #34 HL - 1st Inning Explosion
2017 Chachi Archives #7
2017 Chachi Photo Night #17
2018 Chachi Preview #1
2018 Chachi Departures #4

2018 Chachi Fan Favorites #4
2018 Chachi Ballpark Visits #6
2019 Chachi Ex-Phillies #4
2021 Chachi #64

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Monday, August 30, 2021

Series Preview - Phillies at Nationals: August 30th to September 1st

1986 Topps #466

2021 Chachi Fan Favorites #12

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 7:05
Nationals Park - Washington, DC

At the Ballpark: On Tuesday night, the Nationals are hosting a Pups in the Park event.

Phillies 66-64
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 4 1/2 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (10-9, 2.90)
Matt Moore (2-4, 6.12)
Aaron Nola (7-7, 4.30)

Phillies Leaders
Average: Bryce Harper - .301
Runs: Bryce Harper - 76
Home Runs: Rhys Hoskins - 27
RBIs: Rhys Hoskins - 71
Stolen Bases: Bryce Harper - 12

Wins: Zack Wheeler - 10
ERA: Zack Wheeler - 2.90
Strikeouts: Zack Wheeler - 204
Saves: Hector Neris - 12

Nationals 55-74
4th Place in the N.L. East, 15 games behind the Braves

Nationals Probables
Josiah Gray (0-1, 2.89)
Patrick Corbin (7-13, 6.09)
Paolo Espino (4-4, 4.13)

Nationals Leaders
Average: Trea Turner - .322
Runs: Juan Soto - 86
Home Runs: Kyle Schwarber - 25
RBIs: Josh Bell - 73
Stolen Bases: Trea Turner - 21

Wins: Max Scherzer - 8
ERA: Patrick Corbin - 6.09

Strikeouts: Max Scherzer - 147
Saves: Brad Hand - 21

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 130 - 2021 Chachi Photo Cards #8 Freddy Galvis

Phillies 7, Diamondbacks 4
Game 130 - Sunday Afternoon, August 29th in Philadelphia
Record - 66-64, 2nd Place, 4 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary: The bullpen made this a closer game than it needed to be, but the Phillies hung on to defeat the Diamondbacks, 7-4.

What It Means: The Phillies will open a three-game series in Washington on Monday night. The first place Braves will play three in Los Angeles. The Phillies have 32 games remaining while the Braves have 33. IF the Braves go 17-16 the rest of the way, the Phillies will need to go 22-10 to finish with one more win than them.

What Happened: Ranger Suarez turned in another solid performance, pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing a run on five hits. Connor Brogdon and Archie Bradley struggled, allowing the Diamondbacks to pull to within a 5-4 score after eight innings. But the Phillies received back-to-back triples in the bottom of the eighth from Rafael Marchan and Travis Jankowski to add a few much needed insurance runs.

Jean Segura, Bryce Harper and Marchan all enjoyed multi-hit days. Freddy Galvis hit a sacrifice fly in the first and added a two-run single in the fifth to give the Phillies a seemingly comfortable 5-1 lead at the time.

Featured Card: Barring an unexpected development, for the second year in a row, there will be no team-issued Phillies photo card sets. This is very disappointing to other Phillies collectors and me, as these photo card sets have been produced every season going back to the mid-1950s. The Phillies began making complete sets available either via stadium giveaway or for purchase at The Vet in the mid-1980s, and prior to that most players received photo cards to use for autograph requests or for the team to simply hand out to fans. I've spent quite a bit of time cataloguing all these sets, with an index to be found here.

The absence of the set last year made complete sense. With no fans in the stands, there was really no need to produce extra merchandise. I was hoping the photo card sets would return this year, especially when the ballpark returned to full capacity, but I imagine certain cost-cutting measures are still in place and the Phillies deemed the time and cost of producing a set to be greater than the benefit. This is a shame. But in an effort to fill the gaping holes in my annual Phillies baseball card binder, I took it upon myself to create a set of photo cards in 2020 and I just started work on this year's self-created set as well. I'm happy with my finished product, but I'll be even happier if the Phillies start producing these sets again in 2022.

Transaction: Didi Gregorius (ss) was placed on the paternity list and Nick Maton (inf) was recalled from Lehigh Valley.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Game 129 - At Last - An Enjoyable Phillies Game!

Phillies 7, Diamondbacks 0
Game 129 - Saturday Night, August 28th in Philadelphia
Record - 65-64, 2nd Place, 4 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary: At long last, the Phillies won easily agains the Diamondbacks as Kyle Gibson threw six shutout innings.

What It Means: An enjoyable Phillies game? I had forgotten what that was like!

What Happened: Gibson, Jose Alvarado, Hector Neris and Sam Coonrod combined for the shutout with Gibson leading the way by allowing only three hits. The Phillies offense showed some life with back-to-back home runs from Odubel Herrera and Jean Segura in the third. Segura had three hits on the night. Didi Gregorius had a big night at the plate with three doubles.

Featured Card: While we wait for a Gibson Phillies card, I'll indulge myself with a custom card featuring the foul ball given to our youngest son Ben at this game. In the bottom of the first inning, with Herrera on second following a lead-off double, Segura was facing Diamondbacks' starting pitcher Humberto Mejia and bunted a ball foul up and over the net behind home plate and into Section C of the Diamond Club, row 16. We happened to be sitting in row 17 for this game, and the kind fan who picked up the ball immediately handed it to Ben who was admittedly shaken by the near beaning. For the record, Ben graciously later handed the ball over to his older brother Doug for safe-keeping and Doug now aims to get Segura to eventually sign the ball.

Field Report: The foul ball was the highlight, but Doug added one pre-game autograph to his collection from catcher Rafael Marchan.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 128 - 2021 Topps Now #575 Brad Miller

Phillies 7, Diamondbacks 6 (11 Innings)
Game 128 - Friday Night, August 27th in Philadelphia
Record - 64-64, 2nd Place, 5 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary: Despite a record-setting 26th blown save by the bullpen (courtesy of Ian Kennedy) the Phillies willed their way to this win with a few extra inning clutch hits.

What It Means: Hopefully this is the start of another winning streak?

What Happened: Aaron Nola went 5 1/3 innings and he left with a runner on third and the Phillies holding a slim 2-1 lead, thanks to a two-run home run from Bryce Harper in the third. Connor Brogdon entered the game and a quick sacrifice fly tied the score at 2-2. J.T. Realmuto gave the Phillies a two-run lead once again in the seventh with a two-run single to center. Kennedy allowed a single and a home run (from Christian Walker) from the first two batters he faced in the ninth and the game would go to extra innings.

The Diamondbacks took a 6-4 lead in the 10th when Ketel Marte homered off Enyel De Los Santos. Brad Miller then dramatically tied the game again with a two-run home run of his own in the bottom of the inning. That set up Jean Segura to deliver the winning hit in the 11th, scoring ghost-runner Ronald Torreyes, and the Phillies had a subdued celebration on the field.

Featured Card: I was harsh towards Miller during this game, so I'll give him the card here. This is his third Topps Now card (so far) this season, from his July 29th walk-off grand slam.

Field Report: Doug and I were there for this game and given the latest Covid outbreak on the club (see below) he came up empty in his pre-game autograph hunt. And I'll admit we didn't stay for the full game as Doug had an early morning baseball practice the next day. I did snap and Tweet the photo shown below, showing a seemingly new feature at the ballpark. After each Nola strikeout, the bank of lights above the scoreboard would quickly flash and arrange into a K. We were back at the ballpark on Saturday night, and the Phillies didn't repeat this light show with Kyle Gibson on the mound.

Transactions: I've stopped counting how many players and games have been lost this season to Covid protocols and some of the Phillies players opting to not get vaccinated. Zach Eflin (rhp), Luke Williams (inf) and Andrew Knapp (c) were placed on the Covid injured list. Rafael Marchan (c) and De Los Santos (rhp) were recalled and Jorge Bonifacio (of) had his contract selected. Finally, Chase Anderson (rhp) was released.

Hey there @PhilliesCBP - this K light new? We liKe it. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Usaw1SY2XT
— Jim Passaro (@jimpassaro) August 28, 2021

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 127 - 2021 Topps #460 Zach Eflin

Diamondbacks 8, Phillies 7
Game 127 - Thursday Night, August 26th in Philadelphia
Record - 63-64, 2nd Place, 5 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary: The lowly Diamondbacks delivered the latest crushing blow to a floundering Phillies team in this 8-7 loss to open a four-game series.

What It Means: The Phillies fell below .500 for the first time since August 1st, when they began their now-distant eight-game winning streak.

What Happened: Zach Eflin was supposed to return, but was scratched shortly before game-time and Matt Moore was forced into duty. Moore pitched four innings and allowed four runs on seven hits. The Phillies offense continued to snooze for most of this game and Jean Segura briefly made it a 4-2 game with a two-run home run in the fifth. The Diamondbacks scored twice in the top of the sixth off JD Hammer and Jose Alvarado to erase the two-run deficit. The Phillies scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth to make this game appear to have been a lot closer than it was. But with the tying run on first, Brad Miller struck out swinging to end the game.

Featured Card: Rhys Hoskins and now Eflin appear to both be done for the season. Eflin's knee didn't feel right prior to his scheduled return and on Friday afternoon he was also placed on the Covid-injured list. It was a bit of a lost season for Eflin who made 18 starts and went 4-7 with a 4.17 ERA.

Transaction: Eflin (rhp) was briefly activated along with Alvarado (lhp). Hoskins (1b) was placed on the injured list and Chase Anderson (rhp) was designated for assignment.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 126 - 2021 Stadium Club #124 Rhys Hoskins

Rays 7, Phillies 4
Game 126 - Wednesday Night, August 25th in Philadelphia
Record - 63-63, 2nd Place, 5 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary: Zack Wheeler faced one too many Rays batters and the Phillies endured yet another frustrating loss, getting swept by the Rays in two games in the process.

What It Means: The Phillies' postseason hopes are slipping away as the injuries mount.

What Happened: The Phillies twice came back to tie this game, only to have their hopes dashed in the ninth. Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run in the fifth to tie the score at 3-3. The Rays briefly took the lead in the top of the eighth and Rhys Hoskins hit a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to tie the score at 4-4. Wheeler came out for the top of the ninth and allowed a single, double and a crushing three-run home run to Francisco Mejia to give the Rays a 7-4 lead. With a fully rested bullpen, manager Joe Girardi's decision to leave Wheeler in the game completely backfired.

Featured Card: And this is the game that ended Hoskins' 2021 season. The hobbled first baseman could barely move and at one point he fell flat to the ground attempting to field a ground ball to his right. It would be announced the following day that his groin injury was too severe to overcome and he'd potentially have surgery to repair the damage and to get him (hopefully) ready for 2022. Losing Hoskins at this stage of the season was a gut punch to the team and its fans.

Transaction: Jorge Bonificado (of) cleared waivers and was outrighted to Lehigh Valley.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Series Preview - Diamondbacks at Phillies: August 26th to August 29th

2021 Chachi Fan Favorites #10

2021 Chachi 1986 Topps Missing Links #8

Thursday and Friday 7:05, Saturday 6:05 and Sunday 1:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark: On Saturday, all kids 14 and under will receive a pair of Richman's Ice Cream Phillies sunglasses. And on Sunday, all kids will receive a back-to-school Phillies gym bag presented by Fante's Plumbing, Heating & Air.

Diamondbacks 43-85
5th Place in the N.L. West, 40 games behind the Giants

Diamondbacks Probables
Zac Gallen (1-7, 4.59)
Taylor Widener (2-1, 4.34)
Humberto Mejia (0-0, 3.60)
Madison Bumgarner (7-8, 4.17)

Diamondbacks Leaders
Average: Josh Rojas - .279
Runs: Pavin Smith - 57
Home Runs: Eduardo Escobar - 22
RBIs: Eduardo Escobar - 65
Stolen Bases: Nick Ahmed and Josh Rojas - 7

Wins: Madison Bumgarner and Merrill Kelly - 7
ERA: Merrill Kelly - 4.30

Strikeouts: Merrill Kelly - 118
Saves: Joakim Soria - 6

Phillies 63-63
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 5 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Zach Eflin (4-7, 4.17)
Aaron Nola (7-7, 4.33)
Kyle Gibson (3-2, 3.77)
Ranger Suarez (5-4, 1.46)

Phillies Leaders
Average: Bryce Harper - .293
Runs: Bryce Harper - 72
Home Runs: Rhys Hoskins - 27
RBIs: Rhys Hoskins - 71
Stolen Bases: Bryce Harper - 12

Wins: Zack Wheeler - 10
ERA: Zack Wheeler - 2.90
Strikeouts: Zack Wheeler - 204
Saves: Hector Neris - 12

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Game 125 - First Family Trip to the Ballpark Since May

Rays 3, Phillies 1
Game 125 - Tuesday Night, August 24th in Philadelphia
Record - 63-62, 2nd Place, 4 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary: More lack of clutch hitting against a tough Rays' pitching staff and a rough inning from Archie Bradley led to this 3-1 loss.

What It Means: The Braves also lost, so the Phillies stay put in the standings.

What Happened: Ranger Suarez pitched a gem, going 6 2/3 innings (his longest outing of the year) and allowing a run on six hits. Bradley came on in the eighth with the score tied, 1-1, and allowed a lead-off single to Brett Phillips before hitting Randy Arozarena. Nelson Cruz then doubled home both Phillips and Arozarena, although Odubel Herrera didn't help matters when he whiffed on the ball and it rolled to the warning track. The Phillies only run came in the fourth when Brad Miller doubled home Didi Gregorius. Gregorius had two of the team's six hits, with the offense going 0 for 5 overall with runners in scoring position.

Featured Card/Field Report: And we were there! After enjoying dinner in the Boardwalk area of the ballpark, near Bull's BBQ, and getting the requisite photo and autograph from the Bull himself, Greg Luzinski, we settled into our seats in the Diamond Club. Doug received his first in person autograph in two years when Miller graciously signed his scorecard prior to the game. It was muggy and the game honestly flew by, especially as it was our first game as a family since late May. Unfortunately, the Phillies couldn't pull out the win and as Bryce Harper would say on Wednesday, the team is basically just "wasting time" at this point.

Transactions: Freddy Galvis (inf) and Sam Conrad (rhp) were both activated from the injured list. Jorge Bonifacio (of) was designated for assignment and Enyel De Los Santos (rhp) was optioned to Lehigh Valley.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Series Preview - Rays at Phillies: August 24th to August 25th

2021 Chachi Fan Favorites #9

1986 Topps #453

Tuesday and Wednesday 7:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark: It's Scooby Doo Night tonight at the ballpark, and if you purchased a special theme night ticket, you'll receive a Phillies Scooby Doo bobblehead. Wednesday is a rare August Dollar Dog Night.

Rays 77-48
1st Place in the A.L. East, 4 games ahead of the Yankees

Rays Probables
Drew Rasmussen (1-0, 3.30)
TBD

Rays Leaders
Average: Randy Arozarena - .274
Runs: Brandon Lowe - 76
Home Runs: Brandon Lowe - 29
RBIs: Austin Meadows - 88
Stolen Bases: Brett Phillips - 12

Wins: Josh Fleming - 10
ERA: N/A

Strikeouts: Tyler Glasnow - 123
Saves: Diego Castillo - 14

Phillies 63-61
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 4 1/2 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Ranger Suarez (5-4, 1.47)
Zack Wheeler (10-8, 2.77)

Phillies Leaders
Average: Jean Segura - .295
Runs: Bryce Harper - 71
Home Runs: Rhys Hoskins - 26
RBIs: Rhys Hoskins - 70
Stolen Bases: Bryce Harper - 12

Wins: Zack Wheeler - 10
ERA: Zack Wheeler - 2.77
Strikeouts: Zack Wheeler - 194
Saves: Hector Neris - 12

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

2021 Chachi #63 Jorge Bonifacio

#39
Jorge Luis Bonifacio
Outfield

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height: 6'1" Weight:  220
Opening Day Age: 27
Born:  June 4, 1993, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
How Obtained:  Signed as a minor league free agent, May 25, 2021
Major League Teams: Kansas City Royals 2017-2019; Detroit Tigers 2020; Philadelphia Phillies 2021

First Phillies Card: N/A
First Phillies Minor League Card: 2021 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #3
First Phillies Team Issued Card: N/A

Newest Card Added: 2021 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #3

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (3): 2017-2019

1 - Bonifacio baseball card in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/22/21.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2021 Chachi #63

Jorge Bonifacio was a surprise call-up on August 20th, but with the Phillies desparate for any kind of offense they felt it was worth taking a shot on the former Royals and Tigers outfielder. He began the season with Double-A Reading where he batted .251 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs in 49 games. A promotion to the IronPigs followed and Bonifacio was batting .321 with three home runs and 13 RBIs when his contract was selected.

Bonifacio hit a career-high 17 home runs and drove in 40 runs with the Royals as a rookie in 2017. He was suspended for 80 games in 2018 after testing positive for PEDs.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Monday, August 23, 2021

Game 124 - 2021 Topps Allen & Ginter #85 Rhys Hoskins

Phillies 7, Padres 4
Game 124 - Sunday Afternoon, August 22nd in San Diego
Record - 63-61, 2nd Place, 5 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary: Rhys Hoskins returned to the line-up and his two home runs helped support a stellar effort from Kyle Gibson in this 7-4 win over the Padres.

What It Means: The Phillies won the series, remaining five games behind the Braves in the division. After an off-day on Monday, they'll open a quick two-game series against the Rays at home on Tuesday night.

What Happened: Gibson settled down after a rough first inning and pitched eight innings, allowing a run on six hits. Hector Neris had to be called on to record the final out of the game after Bailey Falter allowed three runs to score in the bottom of the ninth. Odubel Herrera had a big day at the plate, with four hits and three RBIs. Herrera and J.T. Realmuto both homered in the seventh inning.

Featured Card: Hoskins missed 11 games while on the injured list and he immediately made his presence felt upon his return. He homered in the fourth and fifth innings and left the game as a precaution in the later innings as the game was seemingly safely in hand.

Transactions: Hoskins (1b) was activated from the injured list and the struggling Alec Bohm (3b) was optioned back to Lehigh Valley. Mauricio Llovera (rhp) also cleared waivers and was outrighted to the IronPigs.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Sunday, August 22, 2021

Game 123 - 2021 Stadium Club Virtual Reality #VR-20 Aaron Nola

Padres 4, Phillies 3 (10 Innings)
Game 123 - Late Saturday Night, August 21st in San Diego
Record - 62-61, 2nd Place, 5 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary: Aaron Nola was perfect for six innings and dominant for 8 2/3, but the Padres stunned the Phillies with four late inning runs to walk-off with a devastating win.

What It Means: Pain. In the span of one week, the Phillies went from being tied for first place to being five games behind the Braves. Their eight-game winning streak to begin August is a distant memory.

What Happened: Nola was dominant until Jake Cronenworth homered with two outs in the ninth to tie the score at 3-3. Connor Brogdon uncorked a wild pitch in the 10th, that catcher Andrew Knapp should have been able to handle, to hand the Padres a walk-off 4-3 win. Nola was facing his brother Austin for the first time and he struck him out in the second, got him to pop up in the fifth and walked him in the seventh.

The slumping Phillies went 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position. Their runs came via a solo home run by Odubel Herrera to lead off the game, and then from two hit batters by reliever Tim Hill with the bases loaded in the eighth. Nola had started that eighth inning rally with a lead-off double, just one of four hits on the night from the slumbering Phillies offense.

Featured Card: Nola's perfect game was ruined in the bottom of the seventh when Brad Miller couldn't field a hard hit ground ball at first for an E3. Nola lost his no-hitter two batters later when Manny Machado lined a single to center to tie the score at 1-1. He allowed just two hits (Machado's single and Cronenworth's home run) while throwing 117 pitches and striking out 11. He gets the card here, but this was also one of the most painful Phillies losses in recent memory.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Saturday, August 21, 2021

Game 122 - 2021 Stadium Club Virtual Reality #VR-5 Bryce Harper

Phillies 4, Padres 3
Game 122 - Late Friday Night, August 20th in San Diego
Record - 62-60, 2nd Place, 4 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary: The Phillies hung on to beat the Padres, 4-3, snapping their four-game losing streak.

What It Means: Somewhat shockingly, the Phillies are four games back in both the division race and the wild card race. While only the Braves are ahead of them in the division, the Padres, Reds and Cardinals are all currently ahead of them for the second National League Wild Card.

What Happened: The Phillies scored three runs in the third on an RBI-double from J.T. Realmuto followed by a two-run home run from Bryce Harper. They added an insurance run in the eighth when Andrew McCutchen doubled home Jean Segura. The Phillies pitchers walked 10 batters with starter Matt Moore walking four, Hector Neris walking the bases loaded in the sixth and Archie Bradley also walking three batters. Ian Kennedy was called on for a four-out save and after he plunked Fernando Tatis with the bases loaded to force in a run, he settled down and notched his fourth save.

Featured Card: Topps keeps making Harper cards (for now) so I'll keep featuring them here.

Transaction: In a somewhat surprising move, the Phillies selected the contract of Jorge Bonifacio (of) from Lehigh Valley and designated Mauricio Llovera (rhp) for assignment. Bonifacio had appeared in 71 games for both Reading and Lehigh Valley, batting .273 with 15 home runs and 54 RBIs. He batted sixth and started in center field, going 0 for 3 with a pair of strikeouts in his Phillies debut.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist