Monday, October 3, 2022

Game 159 - Phils' Magic Number Down to One!

2022 Bowman Scouts' Top 100 #BTP-85
Phillies 8
, Nationals 1 (6 Innings)
Game 159 - Sunday Afternoon, October 2nd in Washington
Record - 86-73, 3rd Place, 14 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler and the Phillies offense took care of business in this rain-shortened 8-1 crucial win over the Nationals.

What It Means:  What a wonderful day!  My family spent the afternoon at our house as part of my early birthday celebration, and we watched as the Phillies took a commanding lead and went into their rain delay.  We then switched over to the Brewers-Marlins game, watching the conclusion of that 12-inning marathon.  When the Marlins finally sealed the win, realizing the Phillies' Magic Number was down to one was a memorable moment.  I'm hoping they take care of the final win Monday night in Houston.

Any Phillies win or any Brewers loss over the final three days of the regular season, and the Phillies' 11-year playoff draught is over.

What Happened:  Wheeler pitched five shutout innings, allowing only two hits and striking out seven.  Most of this game was played in a steady mist, with periods of moderate to heavy rain throughout.  Kyle Schwarber and Bryson Stott drove in three runs a piece.  Stott doubled home a pair of runs in the fourth to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead.  Schwarber hit a bases-clearing single in the fifth to extend the lead to 7-0.  As the rains continued, J.T. Realmuto hit his 22nd home run of the season, a solo shot in the sixth.  Following the sixth inning, the umpires finally called for the tarp to be placed on the field and the game was officially called a few hours later.

Featured Card:  Stott's double in the fourth allowed me to exhale for the first time, so I'll give him the featured card here.  He's had surprisingly few baseball card appearances in 2022, and I expect that will change in 2023.

Transaction:  Cristopher Sanchez (lhp) the 29th man for Saturday's double header, was optioned back to Lehigh Valley.

No comments: