Monday, March 18, 2024

Spring Training Game 22 - Luplow Homers in Debut, Phils Tie Again

2022 Topps Heritage #21
Phillies 5
, Blue Jays 5
Spring Training Game 22 - Sunday Afternoon, March 16th in Clearwater
Record - 8-9-5

One Sentence Summary:  For the fifth time this spring, the Phillies played to a tie after the bullpen couldn't lock down the win.

What It Means:  The Phillies wore green hats in honor of St. Patrick's Day, and for the second year in a row the Phillies were not also wearing green jerseys.  The green jerseys were a tradition started in 1986 with the help of Tug McGraw, and ended in 2021 when Nike took over manufacturing MLB's uniforms.  The graphic below is from Phillies Nation's X feed.

What Happened:  Zack Wheeler had another solid spring outing, allowing a run on three hits in his four innings of work.  Spring training stats don't mean much, but Wheeler's 2.00 ERA through three starts and nine innings pitched is impressive.  Following the game, manager Rob Thomson named Wheeler the opening day starter, ending Aaron Nola's streak at six straight opening day starts.  The Phillies held a 5-4 lead going into the eighth, but Austin Brice blew his third save of the spring as the Blue Jays tied up the score.

Cristian Pache and Rodolfo Castro both doubled in the second, giving the Phillies a 3-1 lead.  A Kyle Schwarber single in the fourth made it 4-1 Phillies, and newcomer Jordan Luplow hit a solo home run in the sixth.

Featured Card:  I'm not sure why the Phillies would sign Luplow so late in spring training, unless they didn't feel as if Jake Cave or Pache were going to be viable options as back-up outfielders.  Luplow last appeared on mainstream baseball cards in 2022, including this card from the Topps Heritage set.

Camp Head Count:  57


No comments: