Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Game 49 - Memorial Day Meltdown

2021 Topps Archives #262
Giants 5
, Phillies 4 (10 Innings)
Game 49 - Monday Afternoon, May 30th in Philadelphia
Record - 21-28, 3rd Place, 11 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Another late comeback was wasted by another failure by the Phillies bullpen in this 5-4 extra-inning loss.

What It Means:  The Phillies continue to frustrate and baffle, with no clear direction or hope in sight.  They've lost four in a row and six of their last seven games.

What Happened:  Nick Castellanos and Rhys Hoskins hit solo home runs for the Phillies, with Hoskins' blast representing the only hit by the offense between the fourth inning and the ninth inning.  With the score tied at 2-2, Corey Knebel again attempted to shut down the opposing offense and again failed.  Evan Longoria hit a home run to center off Knebel to give the Giants a 3-2 lead.  Kyle Schwarber, who might be heating up a little, hit a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to again tie the score at 3-3.  But then in the 10th, Phillies reliever Andrew Bellatti gave up a two-run home run to Curt Casali and we were glad we had left this game early (see below).

Field Report:  Jenna and I had tickets to this Memorial Day matinee, and we braved the heat to enjoy the ballpark and hopefully watch a Phillies victory.  We were 1 for 2 on the day.  I finally broke down and stood in line for a Manco & Manco pizza, and while I was happy with my decision I think it tastes better on the boardwalk.

Featured Card/Transaction:  Bailey Falter (lhp) was optioned to Lehigh Valley and Mickey Moniak (of) was activated from the injured list.  Moniak made his season debut after suffering a broken hand in the final game of spring training.  He went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts, but made a nice diving catch in the eighth.

2022 Chachi #39 Mickey Moniak


#16

McKenzie Matthew Moniak
Outfield

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'2"  Weight:  200
Opening Day Age:  23
Born:  May 13, 1998, Encinitas, CA
How Obtained:  Selected by Phillies in 1st round (1st overall) of June 2016 amateur player draft
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2020-

First Phillies Minor League Card:  2017 Choice Phillies Minor League Top 30 Prospects #18
First Phillies Card:
  2016 Topps Now #165
Newest Card Added:  2021 Topps Heritage High Numbers #653
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  2021

44 - Moniak baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 5/30/22.
2021 Topps #457


Monday, May 30, 2022

Giants at Phillies: May 30th to June 2nd

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #7
2022 Chachi 2000 Topps Missing Links #28

Monday 4:05, Tuesday 6:45 and Wednesday 6:05

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  The Phillies will host a pregame ceremony before today's Memorial Day matinee, honoring American Gold Star Mothers.  Wednesday is Top Gun night, with fans purchasing a theme night ticket receiving a Miles Teller Rooster bobblehead.

Giants 25-21
3rd Place in the N.L. West, 7 1/2 games behind the Dodgers

Giants Probables
Logan Webb (5-1, 3.54)
Jakob Junis (2-1, 2.76)
Carlos Rodon (4-4, 3.60)

Giants Leaders
Average:  Mike Yastrzemski - .298
Runs:  Thairo Estrada and Darin Run - 26
Home Runs:  Joc Pederson - 11
RBIs:  Joc Pederson - 27
Stolen Bases:  Thairo Estrada - 6

Wins:  Logan Webb - 5
ERA:  Logan Webb - 3.54
Strikeouts:  Carlos Rodon - 64
Saves:  Camilo Doval - 7
Phillies 21-27
3rd Place in the N.L. East, 10 1/2 games behind the Mets

Phillies Probables
Kyle Gibson (3-2, 3.94)
Ranger Suarez (4-3, 4.74)
Aaron Nola (2-4, 3.56)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryce Harper - .312
Runs:  Bryce Harper - 34
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber - 10
RBIs:  Bryce Harper - 32
Stolen Bases:  Jean Segura - 8

Wins:  Ranger Suarez - 4
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 3.16
Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 74
Saves:  Corey Knebel - 8

Game 48 - Knebel Blows Another Game

2018 Topps Heritage #313
Mets 5
, Phillies 4 (10 Innings)
Game 48 - Sunday Night, May 29th in Flushing
Record - 21-27, 3rd Place, 10 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Corey Knebel blew his third save of the season, then allowed the Mets to win in extra innings, completing their sweep of the directionless Phillies team.

What It Means:  The Phillies are six games under .500 for the first time since the end of the 2017 season.  They're 10 1/2 games behind the division leading Mets on Memorial Day, and in danger of dropping into fourth place, behind the Marlins.  It's not going well.

What Happened:  Down 3-1 in the eighth with no life in sight, Nick Castellanos broke out of a lengthy slump with a three-run home run off Mets reliever Adam Ottavino to give the Phillies a 4-3 lead.  Seranthony Dominguez pitched a perfect eighth and closer Knebel entered the game in the ninth to attempt the save.  The attempt quickly failed.  On Knebel's first pitch, Nick Plummer homered to right for his first big league hit, tying the game.  Knebel returned in the bottom of the 10th and surrendered a game-winning double to Eduardo Escobar to seal the loss for the Phillies.

Featured Card:  Jayson Start provided this insightful break-down of Knebel's Phillies career so far:  In his three blown saves, he's pitched 3 innings, allowing 8 hits and 6 earned runs.  In his other 17 appearances, he's pitched 17 1/3 innings, allowing 8 hits and 1 earned run.  I still miss Hector Neris.

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Game 47 - Are Girardi's Days Numbered?

2020 Topps Allen & Ginter
Field Generals #FG-6
Mets 8
, Phillies 2
Game 47 - Saturday Night, May 28th in Flushing
Record - 21-26, 3rd Place, 9 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies turned in another lifeless performance against the Mets, losing their seventh out of their last ten games.

What It Means:  See below from Phillies beat writer Jim Salisbury.  That's quite an opening paragraph.

What Happened:  Zach Eflin was the victim of questionable defense, some perfectly placed hits and an unrelenting Mets offense.  He allowed seven runs on eight hits over six innings as he saw his record fall to 1-4.  The Phillies offense went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.  Two of the team's bigger bats, Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins, went 0 for 7 with Schwarber's average dropping to .185 and Hoskins a somewhat better .220.

Featured Card:  Manager Joe Girardi has made extremely questionable bullpen decisions and displayed an overall lack of emotion or urgency.  If he is dismissed before the end of the season, and if the Phillies don't come through with a team-issued photo card set before that happens, Girardi could have his time at the helm of the club marked with no Phillies baseball cards to his name.  I've added this card to my Phillies collection, as even though it depicts Girardi with the Yankees, it was released during his tenure as manager of the Phillies.  How long that tenure will continue remains to be seen.

Game 46 - Phils Make Losing a Bad Habit

2013 Topps #361
Mets 8
, Phillies 6
Game 46 - Friday Night, May 27th in Flushing
Record - 21-25, 3rd Place, 8 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Sloppy play and a struggling bullpen contributed to this 8-6 series opening loss to the Mets.

What It Means:  I feel as if I'm admittedly phoning it in with these game summary posts.  Watching the Phillies isn't fun right now, and then summarizing the latest loss the morning after isn't fun either. 

What Happened:  The Phillies were down 7-0 early with spot starter Bailey Falter giving up five runs (only two earned) in his three innings of work and Nick Nelson allowing three more Mets runs to score in his two innings of relief.  Bryson Stott's throwing error to open the bottom of the first led to three unearned runs.  The offense battled back with a six-spot in the sixth, capped by a three-run home run from Garrett Stubbs, but it wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit.

Featured Card:  The game was mostly unenjoyable, but I found myself laughing at times at the color commentary provided by former catcher Erik Kratz in his regular season debut in the Phillies radio booth. The Phillies are going with a rotating cast of four former players to complement play-by-play radio voice Scott Franzke on the days Larry Andersen isn't working.  Along with Kratz, Chad Durbin, Kevin Stocker and Michael Bourn have all spent time calling games with Franzke.

Transaction:  Falter (lhp) was recalled from Lehigh Valley to give the other five starters an extra day of rest and somewhat surprisingly, veteran reliever Jose Alvarado (lhp) was optioned down.  Alvarado has a 7.62 ERA over 17 appearances, with ten walks in 13 innings of work.

Friday, May 27, 2022

Phillies at Mets: May 27th to May 29th

2022 Chachi 2000 Topps Missing Links #31
2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #6

Friday 7:10, Saturday 7:15, Sunday 7:08

Citi Field - Flushing, NY

At the Ballpark:  Saturday night is fireworks night and fans can stay after the Phillies victory for a post-game fireworks show.

Phillies 21-24
Tied for 2nd Place in the N.L. East, 7 1/2 games behind the Mets

Phillies Probables
Bailey Falter (0-1, 3.75)
Zach Eflin (1-3, 3.65)
Zack Wheeler (3-3, 3.38)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryce Harper - .316
Runs:  Bryce Harper - 32
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber - 10
RBIs:  Bryce Harper - 31
Stolen Bases:  Bryce Harper and Jean Segura - 6

Wins:  Ranger Suarez - 4
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 3.38
Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 74
Saves:  Corey Knebel - 8
Mets 29-17
1st Place in the N.L. East, 7 1/2 games ahead of the Braves and Phillies

Mets Probables
Carlos Carrasco (4-1, 3.50)
Taijuan Walker (2-0, 2.70)
TBD

Mets Leaders
Average:  Jeff McNeil - .321
Runs:  Francisco Lindor - 31
Home Runs:  Pete Alonso - 11
RBIs:  Pete Alonso - 41
Stolen Bases:  Starling Marte - 6

Wins:  Max Scherzer - 5
ERA:  Max Scherzer - 2.54
Strikeouts:  Max Scherzer - 59
Saves:  Edwin Diaz - 10

Game 45 - Nola Dominates Braves in Win

2022 Topps Gypsy Queen #242
Phillies 4
, Braves 1
Game 45 - Thursday Night, May 26th in Atlanta
Record - 21-24, Tied for 2nd Place, 7 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Earning his first win since opening day, Aaron Nola nearly went the distance and struck out ten in this 4-1 win.

What It Means:  The Phillies split their four-game series with the Braves, and they travelled to New York following the game for a three-game weekend series against the Mets.

What Happened:  Nola went 8 1/3 innings, throwing 109 pitches and allowing just the one run on five hits.  Closer Corey Knebel allowed the Nola inherited run to score, but recorded the final two outs of the game.  J.T. Realmuto hit a solo home run, his third, in the third inning.  Odubel Herrera and Nick Castellanos drove in the next three runs with RBI doubles.

Featured Card:  Here's the steam-punky, Jules Vernesque Gyspy Queen card for Aaron Nola from this just-released Topps set.

Game 44 - Bats Go Cold Again in Atlanta (Except Harper)

2022 Bowman #16
Braves 8
, Phillies 4
Game 44 - Wednesday Night, May 25th in Atlanta
Record - 20-24, 3rd Place, 8 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies couldn't capitalize on plenty of opportunities in this 8-4 loss to the Braves.

What It Means:  So much for the modest two game winning streak as the Phillies have now lost two in a row, and they'll go for a series split on Thursday night.

What Happened:  Ranger Suarez surrendered a four-spot in the second and was chased from the game in the fifth.  Relievers Jose Alvarado, Andrew Bellatti and Connor Brogdon were all charged with single runs in their outings, proving too much for the offense to overcome.  Bryce Harper went 4 for 5 with a pair of doubles, but overall the offense was 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position, leaving 10 men on base throughout the game.

Featured Card:  The Phillies are giving me so little to work with with these games, but at least I have a solid backlog of Harper cards I can feature.  As long as the reigning MVP continues to hit, my hope is this team can turn things around.  Whether or not Joe Girardi is still the manager when the turn around comes is the big question.

This is Harper's card from the recently released Bowman set.

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Game 43

Braves 6, Phillies 5
Game 43 - Tuesday Night, May 24th in Atlanta
Record - 20-23, Tied for 2nd Place, 8 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Despite late heroics from Bryce Harper, the Phillies bullpen imploded yet again, handing the Braves a 6-5 win.

What It Means:  On a truly awful day in our country, this game didn't really seem to matter much.

What Happened:  Harper did his best to single-handedly deliver a victory for the Phillies, tying the game at 2-2 with an RBI double in the sixth, getting the Phillies to within a run with an RBI-single in the seventh, and finally delivering a go-ahead two-run home run off Braves' closer Kenley Jansen in the top of the ninth.  Harper's blast travelled 438 feet, and he finished the game having gone 3 for 5 with four RBIs.

Reliever James Norwood couldn't retire a batter in the sixth, allowing a pair of runs on three hits and a walk.  Nick Nelson, with Corey Knebel apparently unavailable, tried to close out the game with a wrap-around appearance.  Manager Joe Girardi's gamble on Nelson failed miserably as the reliever allowed a lead-off double in the bottom of the ninth and then uncorked a wild pitch.  A fly ball hit by Ronald Acuna, Jr. was dropped by center fielder Roman Quinn, allowing the Braves to tie the game.  William Contreras then singled home the winning run.

Featured Card:  No card for this post.  I wanted to share the comments delivered from the radio voice of the Phillies, Scott Franzke below.  In Franzke's words, "Choose your way to help, please."

Game 42 - Hoskins, Quinn Deliver Clutch Hits in W

2022 Topps Gypsy Queen #192
Phillies 7
, Braves 3
Game 42 - Monday Night, May 23rd in Atlanta
Record - 20-22, 2nd Place, 8 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The arms of Zack Wheeler and Roman Quinn helped the Phillies to this 7-3 series opening win against the Braves.

What It Means:  The Phillies had won two in a row at this point, which seemed like a monumental event.

What Happened:  Quinn used his strong arm to deny the Braves a first inning run, cutting down William Contreras at home with a perfect throw to J.T. Realmuto.  Quinn's throw was clocked at 99.9 mph.  Rhys Hoskins delivered a bases-clearing double in the second and Realmuto added a misplayed RBI-triple in the third.  Quinn continued to star with another misplayed two-run double following Realmuto's home run and Jean Segura plated the Phillies' final run with an RBI-single in the fourth.

Wheeler picked up the win by pitching into the seventh inning and allowing a pair of runs on eight hits.  He struck out ten.  Corey Knebel was brought into the game in the ninth for some reason to preserve the win, although it was not a save situation.

Featured Card:  I'm going to start featuring cards from the just-released Topps Gypsy Queen set, and this year's design is more steam-punkish than usual.  Topps must know what they're doing though, as my 15-year-old son fell in love with the design and announced he'd want to collect the set.

Monday, May 23, 2022

Phillies at Braves: May 23rd to May 26th

2000 Topps #393
2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #5

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 7:20

Truist Park - Atlanta, GA

At the Ballpark:  On Monday night, the first 40,000 fans will receive a replica of the 2021 Braves World Series ring.  On Thursday night, the first 15,000 fans will receive a Beat the Freeze Bobblehead.

Phillies 19-22
Tied for 2nd Place in the N.L. East, 8 games behind the Mets

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (2-3, 3.49)
Kyle Gibson (3-2, 3.98)
Ranger Suarez (4-2, 4.12)
Aaron Nola (1-4, 3.96)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryce Harper - .295
Runs:  Bryce Harper - 29
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 10
RBIs:  Bryce Harper - 27
Stolen Bases:  Bryce Harper - 6

Wins:  Ranger Suarez - 4
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 3.96
Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 64
Saves:  Corey Knebel - 8
Braves 19-22
Tied for 2nd Place in the N.L. East, 8 games behind the Mets

Braves Probables
Tucker Davidson (1-0, 5.87)
Max Fried (4-2, 3.31)
Charlie Morton (3-3, 4.95)
Kyle Wright (4-2, 2.49)

Braves Leaders
Average:  Matt Olson - .242
Runs:  Ozzie Albies - 22
Home Runs:  Marcell Ozuna and Austin Riley - 8
RBIs:  Marcell Ozuna - 20
Stolen Bases:  Ronald Acuna - 8

Wins:  Max Fried and Kyle Wright - 4
ERA:  Kyle Wright - 2.49
Strikeouts:  Kyle Wright - 56
Saves:  Kenley Jansen - 10

Game 41 - Phils Win on Speed, Costly E4

2020 Topps Total #138
Phillies 4
, Dodgers 3 (10 Innings)
Game 41 - Sunday Afternoon, May 22nd in Philadelphia
Record - 19-22, Tied for 2nd Place, 8 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies somehow managed to pull off a 4-3 win, running to victory on a costly error by Dodgers' second baseman Max Muncy in the bottom of the 10th inning.

What It Means:  The win broke a three-game losing streak and pulled the Phillies even with the Braves for second place in the division.  Those two teams open a four-game series in Atlanta tonight.

What Happened:  In any game like this, there are several little moments to remember - some very good and some very bad.

Bad moments included Rhys Hoskins grounding into an inning-ending double play in the eighth with runners on first and third and the Dodgers leading, 2-1.  Another bad moment was Corey Knebel walking the lead-off batter in the top of the 10th and then giving up a go-ahead single to Trea Turner to give the Dodgers a 3-2 lead.  A very bad moment came at the beginning of the 10th when J.T. Realmuto was deked into an out at third base by Justin Turner, seemingly killing the Phillies' rally.

Good moments included Zach Eflin striking out a career-high 12 batters in the no-decision and back-up catcher Garrett Stubbs hitting his first career home run in the sixth inning.  Jean Segura singled home the tying run in the ninth after Kyle Schwarber was intentionally walk to get to Segura.  And the biggest good moment was Roman Quinn speeding home with the winning run, from second base, after Muncy booted Alec Bohm's routine ground ball.  Both Stubbs and Quinn scored on the play to give the Phillies an improbable victory.

Featured Card:  I feel I'll have more opportunities to feature Eflin's cards throughout the season, but when Quinn gives me an opportunity to post one of his many Phillies cards, I'll take it.

Sunday, May 22, 2022

Game 40 - Weather Turns Hot, Phils Remain Tepid

1959 Topps #317
Dodgers 7
, Phillies 4
Game 40 - Saturday Night, May 21st in Philadelphia
Record - 18-22, 3rd Place, 8 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies offense showed some sparks, but the Dodgers bullpen proved to be better than the Phillies bullpen in this 7-4 loss.

What It Means:  In the series finale this afternoon, the team will try to avoid the sweep and break their three-game losing streak.

What Happened:  Bryce Harper was back in the lineup for the first time in five games, and he was largely a non-factor in this game.  Jean Segura doubled home Nick Castellanos in the second for the first run of the game.  Alec Bohm hit a two-run home run in the third, with Kyle Schwarber adding a solo home run in the fourth.

Aaron Nola started for the Phillies, allowing four runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings of work, including two costly home runs.  Jose Alvarado and his 7.94 ERA gave the Dodgers the lead in the eighth, allowing a pair of runs.


Featured Card/Field Report:  Game time temperature was 93 degrees, and the four of us were in our seats in the Diamond Club for the first pitch.  Doug successfully obtained two pre-game autographs from Rhys Hoskins, as he's trying to get a full 2022 Topps Phillies retail team set signed.  The first four innings of the game were exciting, but slow.  As the game slogged along and the Phillies bullpen entered, our interest in listening to the large amount of Dodgers fans around us cheer for their team's comeback waned.

Doug and I made our way over to the Phillies Authentics store, and while I was happy to finally add a Yearbook and Media Guide to my collection, I was once again disappointed at the lack of any team-issued photo cards.  It seems as if the early season predictions that these sets would be available for sale in May was a bit optimistic.  I did purchase the 1959 Topps card shown at the top of this post for what I deemed to be an extremely reasonable price.  It's great to see actual baseball cards for sale at the ballpark, and I wish the Phillies had jumped on this bandwagon a decade or so sooner.

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Game 39 - Phillies Offense Continues to be AWOL

2021 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #12
Dodgers 4
, Phillies 1
Game 39 - Friday Night, May 20th in Philadelphia
Record - 18-21, Tied for 2nd Place, 7 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  With Bryce Harper missing his fifth straight game, the offense was nowhere to be found in this 4-1 loss to the Dodgers.

What It Means:  The Phillies as a team are struggling mightily at the plate.  Before scoring their ninth inning run in this game, they had been shutout for over 40 consecutive innings.

What Happened:  Ranger Suarez labored and was lifted after only three innings, having allowed three runs on five hits.  But the bullpen, led by four scoreless innings from Nick Nelson and James Norwood, kept the Phillies in this game.  Unfortunately, the Phillies couldn't string together any meaningful hits and were nearly shut out again until J.T. Realmuto delivered an RBI double in the ninth.

Featured Card:  I'd give Darick Hall a shot.  The slugging first baseman is batting .280 for Triple-A Lehigh Valley with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs.  He's been in the Phillies system since 2016, and calling him up to inject some life into a lifeless line-up couldn't hurt.

2022 Chachi #38 Francisco Morales


#69

Francisco Javier Morales
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  185
Opening Day Age:  22
Born:  October 27, 1999, San Juan de los Morros, Venezuela
How Obtained:  Signed as a free agent by the Phillies, July 2, 2016
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022

First Phillies Minor League Card:  2018 Choice Phillies Minor League Top 30 Prospects #20
First Phillies Card:
  2021 Bowman Talent Pipeline #TP-PHI
Newest Card Added:  2021 R-Phils Holiday #13
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A

9 - Morales baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 5/20/22.
Complete Chachi Checklist
2022 Chachi #38


Friday, May 20, 2022

Dodgers at Phillies: May 20th to May 22nd

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #4
2022 Chachi 2000 Topps Missing Links #29

Friday 7:05, Saturday 6:05, Sunday 1:35

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  On Sunday, all kids will receive a Phillies arm sleeve.

Dodgers 25-12
1st Place in the N.L. West, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Padres

Dodgers Probables
Julio Urias (2-3, 3.00)
TBD
Tony Gonsolin (4-0, 1.64)

Dodgers Leaders
Average:  Freddie Freeman - .312
Runs:  Mookie Betts - 36
Home Runs:  Mookie Betts - 8
RBIs:  Justin Turner - 28
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 7

Wins:  Walker Buehler - 5
ERA:  Walker Buehler - 2.89
Strikeouts:  Walker Buehler - 39
Saves:  Craig Kimbrel - 7
Phillies 18-20
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 7 games behind the Mets

Phillies Probables
Ranger Suarez (4-1, 3.72)
Aaron Nola (1-4, 3.64)
Zach Eflin (1-3, 3.90)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryce Harper - .305
Runs:  Bryce Harper - 29
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber - 9
RBIs:  Bryce Harper - 27
Stolen Bases:  Bryce Harper - 6

Wins:  Ranger Suarez - 4
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 3.49
Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 55
Saves:  Corey Knebel - 8

Game 38 - Yu Gotta Believe?

1983 Donruss #499
Padres 2
, Phillies 0
Game 38 - Thursday Afternoon, May 19th in Philadelphia
Record - 18-20, 2nd Place, 7 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Yu Darvish and two Padres relievers baffled the Phillies offense in this 2-0 loss.

What It Means:  The Phillies and Padres traded shutouts in this three-game series, with the Phillies coming out on the short end.  They're seven games out of first place and the Dodgers come to town Friday night for a weekend series.

What Happened:  The Phillies offense had eight hits - all singles - and went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position.  Darvish went seven solid innings for the Padres, allowing six hits and striking out five.  Kyle Gibson was the recipient of the Phillies' lethargic offense, and he gave up a pair of runs in his 5 2/3 innings of work.  Gibson struck out seven.

Featured Card:  I've got nothing.  The Phillies offense, which should be hitting a lot of home runs, doesn't seem to be able to even string together a few extra base hits at home.  Bryce Harper missed his second straight game after getting an injection in his right elbow to hopefully manage that injury.  Here's a fantastic vintage card of former Padres and Phillies great Sixto Lezcano.

Game 37 - Wheeler Returns to 2021 Form in Win

2022 Topps Heritage #333
Phillies 3
, Padres 0
Game 37 - Wednesday Night, May 18th in Philadelphia
Record - 18-19, 2nd Place, 6 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler returned to his 2021 form with seven shutout innings in this 3-0 win over the Padres.

What It Means:  Now flying back from Dallas, I watched the first four or so innings of this game from the air and snapped a picture of Citizens Bank Park as our plane was nearing the airport.

What Happened:  Wheeler allowed only four hits and struck out nine while picking up his second win of the year.  Jose Alvarado and Corey Knebel shut down the Padres over the final two innings, with Knebel needing only four pitches to record three outs and his eighth save.  The Phillies scored their runs early when J.T. Realmuto broke out of a slump with an RBI-single in the first and Rhys Hoskins hit a solo home run in the third.  Odubel Herrera doubled home the third run in the fourth.

Featured Card:  I'm slowly posting each Phillies card from the 1973 Topps-inspired Heritage set released this year, and here's the card for the ace of the staff.

Thursday, May 19, 2022

My Visit to Globe Life Field in Arlington (Phillies Game 36 - Meh)

Padres 3, Phillies 0
Game 36 - Tuesday Night, May 17th in Philadelphia
Record - 17-19, Tied for 2nd Place, 6 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies looked completely flat in this 3-0 series opening loss to the Padres.

What It Means:  After showing such promise in the first 3 1/2 games of the Dodgers series, the team has now lost two in a row.

What Happened:  Zach Eflin returned from the Covid list and pitched well, going six innings and allowing a run on five hits.  James Norwood and Brad Hand allowed the other two Padres runs in the seventh inning.  The Phillies offense had five singles and couldn't figure out starter Mike Clevinger or reliever MacKenzie Gore.

Transaction:  Eflin (rhp) was activated from the Covid list and Francisco Morales (rhp) was optioned to Lehigh Valley.


Featured Cards/Field Report:
  In Dallas for a work trip, and with a free night on Monday, I took a 25-minute Lyft ride to Globe Life Field in Arlington to watch the Rangers take on the Angels.  It was the 19th active ballpark I've visited, and I've updated my list below.  The Rangers' new facility does in fact look like a covered grill, but I was happy with the climate controlled interior given the temperature was in the 90s outside.  I did a few circuits of the ballpark, decided I needed some garlic fries with a beer, and settled into my seat in Section 11 on the lower level.  It's a lovely ballpark, and a great venue to see a game, but there wasn't much memorable about the facility other than the fact it seemed huge and very new.  There were multiple levels, various private corporate lounges, a confusing amount of food options and no seemingly easy way to get from one level to another.

Rangers' retired numbers were nicely displayed right inside one of the entrances, and moments from Rangers franchise history were sprinkled throughout the ballpark.  The Rangers beat the Angels, 7-4 in the game.  It was great to watch Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani from the Angels, and the most popular Rangers at this point seemed to be Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia.  Phillies Room Favorite Brad Miller played third and batted ninth for the Rangers, going 0 for 3.  Angels starter Noah Syndergaard allowed six first inning runs, and was pulled having retired only two batters.  My next work trip to Dallas is in September, and there's a really good chance I end up attending another Rangers game.

Team - Ballpark (First Game Visited) 
1.  Baltimore Orioles - Oriole Park at Camden Yards (5/23/1992)
2.  Colorado Rockies - Coors Field (5/29/2000)
3.  Pittsburgh Pirates - PNC Park (7/2001)
4.  Cleveland Indians - Progressive Field (8/2001)
5.  Chicago White Sox - Guaranteed Rate Field (9/17/2002)
6.  Kansas City Royals - Kauffman Stadium (9/26/2002)
7.  Chicago Cubs - Wrigley Field (9/28/2002)
8.  Detroit Tigers - Comerica Park (8/9/2003)
9.  Cincinnati Reds - Great American Ballpark (8/12/2003)
10.  Philadelphia Phillies - Citizens Bank Park (4/12/2004)
11.  Tampa Bay Rays - Tropicana Field (4/16/2006)
12.  Los Angeles Dodgers - Dodger Stadium (4/20/2011)
13.  Boston Red Sox - Fenway Park (8/16/2014)
14.  Washington Nationals - Nationals Park (8/24/2016)
15.  Atlanta Braves - SunTrust Park (5/17/2018)*
16.  San Diego Padres - Petco Park (6/30/2018)
17.  Arizona Diamondbacks - Chase Field (7/2/2018)
18.  San Francisco Giants - Oracle Park (8/8/2019)
19.  Texas Rangers - Globe Life Field (5/16/2022)

Crossed off the list, now inactive:

1.  Philadelphia Phillies - Veterans Stadium (7/15/1979)
2.  Atlanta Braves - Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (8/1/1995)
3.  St. Louis Cardinals - Busch Stadium I (9/27/2002)
4.  Montreal Expos - Olympic Stadium (9/25/2004)
5.  New York Yankees - Yankee Stadium I (8/14/2005)
6.  Washington Nationals - RFK Stadium (10/2/2005)

*Game rained out, but I’m counting it since a hot dog and beer were purchased and I waited through the 2 1/2 hour rain delay.

Game 35 - Knebel Blows Chance for Sweep

1986 Fleer #452
Dodgers 5
, Phillies 4
Game 35 - Sunday Afternoon, May 15th in Los Angeles
Record - 17-18, 2nd Place, 5 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Corey Knebel couldn't secure the win for the Phillies, as the Dodgers walked off to victory, avoiding the four-game sweep.

What It Means:  I watched almost all of this game while flying from Philadelphia to Dallas for a work trip.  The game, much like the flight, was smooth and enjoyable until the end when the game, similar to the flight, hit a bit of bumpy, unpleasant turbulence.

What Happened:  Aaron Nola turned in an effective outing, pitching seven strong innings and allowing just two runs on four hits.  He struck out eight and threw 108 pitches.  Knebel retired the first two Dodgers batters in the bottom of the ninth, but then allowed a triple to Cody Bellinger that opened the floodgates.  He walked Chris Taylor and then surrendered a game-ending two-run double to Gavin Lux.

Lux was redeemed after being responsible for all four Phillies unearned run when he missed a ground ball in the second inning.  With two outs, Johan Camargo on first and Jean Segura on second, Lux couldn't field a Bryson Stott grounder and Segura scored.  Camargo came home on a Garrett Stubbs ground rule double, and Rhys Hoskins brought Stott and Stubbs home with a single to right.  The Phillies offense was fairly quiet after that.

Featured Card:  The last time the Phillies completed a four-game sweep of the Dodgers in Los Angeles was in late August/early September 1985.  The winning pitchers in those four games were Don Carman, Kevin Gross, Shane Rawley and John Denny.  Dave Shipanoff, a Phillies Room Favorite, recorded saves in two of those games, accounting for two of his three career saves.

1997 Topps Phillies Team Set

#14 Ricky Bottalico
#413 Len Dykstra
#161 Jim Eisenreich
#299 Sid Fernandez
#242 Mike Grace
#229 Gregg Jefferies
#56 Mike Lieberthal
#302 Wendell Magee Jr.
#64 Mickey Morandini
#106 Ricky Otero
#268 Scott Rolen
#144 Ken Ryan
#82 Benito Santiago
#368 Curt Schilling
#384 Kevin Stocker
#205 Bobby Estalella PROS
#492 Ron Blazier PROS
#479 Adam Eaton DP