Friday, May 13, 2022

Game 32 - Phils Hold On to Win Opener in L.A.

2022 Topps 1987 Topps
Chrome Silver Pack #T87C-71
Phillies 9
, Dodgers 7
Game 32 - Late Thursday Night, May 12th in Los Angeles
Record - 15-17, Tied for 2nd Place, 6 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies bullpen nearly blew another game in which they had led by 7-1, but fortunately the Dodgers bullpen was shaky as well and the Phillies would ultimately win, 9-7.

What It Means:  The Phillies won the series opening game against the best team in baseball in their home ballpark, so that's something to be happy about.  I was preparing for a medical procedure on Friday morning so I was able to watch the entirety of this game, whether I wanted to or not.

What Happened:  The Phillies were up 7-1 after five and a half innings.  Bryce Harper hit a solo home run in the first and added an RBI-double in the fifth.  Three runs crossed in the second on a Kyle Schwarber RBI-single and a Johan Camargo two-run home run.  Jean Segura scored a head's up run in the fourth, tagging and scoring on a Camargo pop up to deep second base.  After the game was tied 7-7 (see below), the Phillies scored in the ninth on a Daniel Hudson wild pitch and a Harper sacrifice fly.

Zack Wheeler returned from the Covid list and provided 5+ innings, allowing three runs on six hits.  Jose Alvarado was the culprit out of the bullpen who couldn't hold a 7-3 lead.  Alvarado allowed four runs on five hits and a walk in the eighth inning and Andrew Bellatti was able to work out of a bases loaded mess to keep the score tied.  Closer Corey Knebel created some drama of his own by loading the bases in the ninth, with no outs, before retiring Austin Barnes, Cody Bellinger and Chris Taylor on three fly outs.  Knebel recorded his seventh save.

Featured Card:  Harper went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs in this game, and he'll be settling in as the team's permanent DH for a bit longer.  Tests show he's partially torn his UCL, leaving him unable to throw and play the field.  As much as I'm a National League purist, the introduction of the permanent DH in the National League in 2022 is extremely fortuitous, considering that otherwise Harper would have been lost for the season because of his injury.

Transaction:  Wheeler (rhp) was activated from the Covid injured list and Bailey Falter (lhp) was optioned back to Lehigh Valley.

1 comment:

bbcardz said...

Yes, both bullpens were not at their best. Nice game wrap up!