Padres at Phillies: July 14th to July 16th

2014 Topps Heritage #23

2014 Topps Heritage #255

Friday 6:05, Saturday 1:05 and 7:05, Sunday 1:35
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  Tonight is the second of two Xfinity Fireworks shows, one of the annual highlights of the Phillies season.  Tomorrow is a split day-night double header, with all fans attending the afternoon game receiving a Bryce Harper 2022 National League Champions replica ring.  On Sunday, all kids receive a J.T. Realmuto figurine bank.

Padres 43-47
4th Place in the N.L. West, 8 1/2 games behind the Dodgers and Diamondbacks

Padres Probables
Yu Darvish (5-6, 4.87)
Blake Snell (6-7, 2.85)
TBD
Seth Lugo (3-4, 3.39)

Padres Leaders
Average:  Fernando Tatis - .288
Runs:  Fernando Tatis - 52
Home Runs:  Fernando Tatis - 16
RBIs:  Manny Machado - 49
Stolen Bases:  Ha-Seong Kim - 16

Wins:  Joe Musgrove and Michael Wacha - 8
ERA:  Blake Snell - 2.85
Strikeouts:  Blake Snell - 132
Saves:  Josh Hader - 21

Phillies 48-41
3rd Place in the N.L. East, 12 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Cristopher Sanchez
Taijuan Walker
Ranger Suarez
Zack Wheeler

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Nick Castellanos - .301
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 52
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 22
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 57
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 19

Wins:  Taijuan Walker - 10
ERA:  Taijuan Walker - 4.02

Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 120
Saves:  Craig Kimbrel - 14

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

Final Listing of 2016-2017 Phillies Player Moves

2017 Chachi Fan Favorites #17

2017 Chachi Fan Favorites #18

2017 Chachi Fan Favorites #19

After the final game of the 2017 regular season for the Phillies, the list below will be reset and I'll start the process once again of tracking the offseason comings and goings.  Here's one last look at those players who joined and departed the organization between the final pitch of the 2016 season and the final pitch of the 2017 season.

Moving On - 2016-2017 Offseason

• Cedric Hunter - of (10/3/16) - Elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Cincinnati Reds, 4/4/17.
• James Russell - lhp (10/3/16) - Elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Cleveland Indians, 2/13/17.
• Emmanuel Burriss - inf (10/7/16) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Washington Nationals, 12/13/16.
• Frank Herrmann - rhp (10/7/16) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed with the Rakuten Golden Eagles (Japan).
• Jimmy Paredes - of (10/7/16) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines (Japan), 1/15/17.
• Patrick Schuster - lhp (10/7/16) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers, 11/5/16.
• Ryan Howard - 1b (11/3/16) - Team option declined, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Atlanta Braves, 4/6/17.
• Charlie Morton - rhp (11/3/16) - Team option declined, elected free agency and signed with the Houston Astros, 11/16/16.
• Peter Bourjos - of (11/3/16) - Elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Chicago White Sox, 1/27/17.
• A.J. Ellis - c (11/3/16) - Elected free agency and signed with the Miami Marlins, 12/12/16.
• David Hernandez - rhp (11/3/16) - Elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the San Francisco Giants, 2/14/17.
• Darin Ruf - 1b-of and Darnell Sweeney - inf-of (11/11/16) - Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Howie Kendrick.
• Elvis Araujo - rhp (11/18/16) - Claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins.
• David Buchanan - rhp (11/23/16) - Released and signed with the Yakult Swallows (Japan), 12/20/16.
• Cody Asche - of (12/2/16) - Designated for assignment, non-tendered and signed as a minor league free agent with the Chicago White Sox, 1/6/17.
• Phil Klein - rhp (12/14/16) - Released and signed with the Yokohama BayStars (Japan), 12/20/16.
• Severino Gonzalez - rhp (1/19/17) - Designated for assignment and traded to the Miami Marlins for a player to be named later or cash considerations, 1/24/17.
• Alec Asher - rhp (3/28/17) - Traded to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

New Additions - 2016-2017 Offseason

• Pat Neshek - rhp (11/4/16) - Acquired from the Houston Astros for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
• Howie Kendrick - lf (11/11/16) - Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Darin Ruf and Darnell Sweeney.
• Joaquin Benoit - rhp (12/6/16) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Toronto Blue Jays.
• Pedro Florimon - inf (12/12/16) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Daniel Nava - of (12/12/16) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Kansas City Royals.
• Clay Buchholz - rhp (12/20/16) - Acquired from the Boston Red Sox for Josh Tobias.
• Pedro Beato - rhp (12/21/16) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Baltimore Orioles organization.
• Michael Saunders - of (1/19/17) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Departed During the 2017 Season

• Tyler Goeddel - of (4/5/17) - Claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.
• Dalier Hinojosa - rhp (5/16/17) - Released.
• Mario Hollands - lhp (5/23/17) - Released.
• Taylor Featherston - inf (6/9/17) - Traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash.
• Joely Rodriguez - lhp (6/13/17) - Traded to the Texas Rangers for a player to be named later or cash.
• Jeanmar Gomez - rhp (6/20/17) - Designated for assignment, released on 6/25/17 and signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers' organization, 7/15/17.
• Michael Saunders - of (6/20/17) - Designated for assignment, released on 6/25/17 and signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays' organization, 6/28/17.
• Pat Neshek - rhp (7/26/17) - Traded to the Colorado Rockies for Jose Gomez, Alejandro Requena and J.D. Hammer.
• Howie Kendrick - lf-2b (7/28/17) - Traded with cash to the Washington Nationals for McKenzie Mills and future considerations.
• Jeremy Hellickson - rhp (7/28/17) - Traded with cash to the Baltimore Orioles for Hyun Soo Kim, Garrett Cleavinger and future considerations.
• Joaquin Benoit - rhp (7/31/17) - Traded with cash to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Seth McGarry.
• Casey Fien - rhp (9/1/17) - Released.
• Juan Nicasio - rhp (9/6/17) - Traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Eliezer Alvarez.

Arrived During the 2017 Season

• Ty Kelly - inf (4/22/17) - Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash.
• Casey Fien - rhp (5/9/17) - Purchased from the Seattle Mariners.
• Hyun Soo Kim - of (7/28/17) - Acquired with Garrett Cleavinger and future considerations from the Baltimore Orioles for Jeremy Hellickson and cash.
• Henderson Alvarez - rhp (8/25/17) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Long Island Ducks (Independent).
• Juan Nicasio - rhp (8/31/17) - Claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Kevin Siegrist - lhp (9/2/17) - Claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Zac Curtis - lhp (9/11/17) - Claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.

Memory Lane

2011-2012 Offseason Moves
2012 In-Season Transactions
2012-2013 Offseason Moves
2013 In-Season Transactions
2013-2014 Phillies Transactions
2014-2015 Phillies Transactions
2015-2016 Phillies Transactions
2016-2017 Phillies Transactions

Busy Pre-Deadline Week Ends with Benoit Traded to Pirates

2017 Phillies Team Issue #53

When 4pm arrived on Monday afternoon, the Phillies had traded four veterans to contending teams for six prospects, $2 million in international pool money and veteran outfielder Hyun Soo Kim, who is a free agent following the season.  Joaquin Benoit was the final pre-waiver deadline deal, being sent to the Pirates (with cash) for right-handed pitcher Seth McGarry.

Benoit appeared in 44 games for the Phillies, going 1-4 with a 4.07 ERA in 42 innings pitched.  He leaves behind one sole Phillies baseball card to date, from the team issued photo card set.  (I've already featured this card in this game summary post, but since it's the only Phillies card out there of Benoit, here it is again.)

23-year-old McGarry has relieved 31 games this season for the High-A Bradenton Marauders, pitching to an impressive 1.34 ERA over 40 1/3 innings.  His few baseball cards can be found within Pirates' minor league team sets from the past three seasons.

Joaquin Benoit Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi New Additions #4
2017 Chachi #22
2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #8
2017 Chachi Photo Night #13

Departed During the 2017 Season

• Tyler Goeddel - of (4/5/17) - Claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.
• Dalier Hinojosa - rhp (5/16/17) - Released.
• Mario Hollands - lhp (5/23/17) - Released.
• Taylor Featherston - inf (6/9/17) - Traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash.
• Joely Rodriguez - lhp (6/13/17) - Traded to the Texas Rangers for a player to be named later or cash.
• Jeanmar Gomez - rhp (6/20/17) - Designated for assignment, released on 6/25/17 and signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers' organization, 7/15/17.
• Michael Saunders - of (6/20/17) - Designated for assignment, released on 6/25/17 and signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays' organization, 6/28/17.
• Pat Neshek - rhp (7/26/17) - Traded to the Colorado Rockies for Jose Gomez, Alejandro Requena and J.D. Hammer.
• Howie Kendrick - lf-2b (7/28/17) - Traded with cash to the Washington Nationals for McKenzie Mills and future considerations.
• Jeremy Hellickson - rhp (7/28/17) - Traded with cash to the Baltimore Orioles for Hyun Soo Kim, Garrett Cleavinger and future considerations.
• Joaquin Benoit - rhp (7/31/17) - Traded with cash to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Seth McGarry.

Arrived During the 2017 Season

• Ty Kelly - inf (4/22/17) - Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash.
• Casey Fien - rhp (5/9/17) - Purchased from the Seattle Mariners.
• Hyun Soo Kim - of (7/28/17) - Acquired with Garrett Cleavinger and future considerations from the Baltimore Orioles for Jeremy Hellickson and cash.

Phils Take Series; Photo Night Highlights! (Part Two)

2017 Chachi Photo Night #8

2017 Chachi Photo Night #32

Phillies 6, Brewers 3
Game 96 - Sunday Afternoon, July 22nd in Philadelphia
Record - 34-62, 5th place

One Sentence Summary:  Jerad Eickhoff pitched six solid inning and Nick Williams started the scoring with a two-run home run in the fourth as the Phillies defeated the Brewers, 6-3.

What It Means:  The Phillies have won back-to-back series for the first time since April.  The first place Astros roll into town to begin a three-game series on Monday night.

What Happened:  Along with allowing only two runs on three hits over six innings, Eickhoff also contributed two hits and scored a run.  Luis Garcia pitched a perfect ninth to record his first save of the season.  Howie Kendrick had a clutch two-run single in the fifth.

Featured Cards:  Here's the next gallery of extremely limited edition Chachi insert cards from Saturday's Photo Night.  Eickhoff and Williams highlight the post given their efforts in this win.

2017 Chachi Photo Night #12

2017 Chachi Photo Night #13

2017 Chachi Photo Night #14

2017 Chachi Photo Night #15

2017 Chachi Photo Night #16

2017 Chachi Photo Night #17

2017 Chachi Photo Night #18

2017 Chachi Photo Night #19

2017 Chachi Photo Night #20

2017 Chachi Photo Night #21

2017 Chachi #22 Joaquin Benoit

#53
Joaquin Antonio Benoit
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  250
Born:  July 26, 1977, Santiago, DR
Home:  Santiago, DR
Signed:  Signed by the Texas Rangers as an amateur free agent, May 20, 1996
Teams:  Texas Rangers 2001-2008; Tampa Bay Rays 2010; Detroit Tigers 2011-2013; San Diego Padres 2014-2015; Seattle Mariners 2016; Toronto Blue Jays 2016; Phillies 2017
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent formerly with the Toronto Blue Jays, December 6, 2016

2011 Topps #521

2017 Phillies Team Issue #53

1 Benoit Baseball Card in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #53
First Phillies Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #53
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #53
Latest Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #53

First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2011 Topps #521

I had to double check, but it's true that Benoit pitched for the Rangers for parts of eight seasons without an appearance in a Topps flagship set.  He had Topps cards showing him with the Rangers in the 2002 Topps Heritage set, along with the 2002, 2003 and 2004 Topps Total sets.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi New Additions #4
2017 Chachi #22
2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #8

Card statistics through 5/29/17.

Highlights from the 2017 Phillies Phestival (Part 1) #StrikeOutALS

2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #10

2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #4

2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #1

On Thursday afternoon, we attended our first Phillies Phestival at Citizens Bank Park.  This annual event, which the Phillies have held every year since 1984, features games, giveaways, photo opportunities and autograph tables with all proceeds benefitting research into striking out ALS.  The Phillies raised $656,600 at the Phestival, adding to their $17 million total raised since 1984.

Before we entered the left field gate right before 4pm and again as we were leaving right after 6pm, my wife Jenna summed up my exact thoughts by saying, "I can't believe you've never done that before."

Armed with nine autograph tickets, we split into two groups with Jenna and Ben in search of a Maikel Franco autograph (Ben's favorite player) and Doug and me in search of as many autographs as possible.  Doug came away with over 20 autographs, Ben ultimately got to meet Franco and I came away with a lot of great memories and some terrific pictures.  I made a limited edition Chachi card set to commemorate the day, and I'll split the set into two separate posts starting with this one.

2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #2

2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #3

2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #5

2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #6

2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #7

2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #8

2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #9

Some highlights and random thoughts:

• When Ben met John Kruk he informed Kruk he'd rather be getting an autograph from Franco, his favorite player.  Kruk actually tried to get a ticket for Ben, was unsuccessful, and told him to stop back later . . .

• . . . Which Ben did, securing an autograph and a picture with his favorite player!

• The newly acquired Ty Kelly had nothing for anyone to sign.  Paired up with Larry Bowa, Kelly signed a Phillies team card for Doug.

• Doug informed Bowa he'd be making the big leagues one day to which Bowa responded with a fist pump and told him to "Get it."  Bowa was happy to hear that Doug's best position was third base.

• Jerad Eickhoff seemed a little punchy, photobombing our picture with Andres Blanco.

• Mickey Morandini and Tommy Joseph both told Doug they really liked his hair.

• Daniel Nava was very impressed when Doug referred to him as Mr. Nava.  "First kid to do that all day," he mentioned.

2017 Topps Now #23

• Doug's favorite new autographed card is the dual signature Topps Now card of Howie Kendrick and Joseph.  Honestly, the kid can't stop looking at it and remarking, "This is so cool."

• We bought a number of $20 grab bags and the boys scored autographed hats from Nick Williams, Dylan Cozens, Vince Velasquez and Jeremy Hellickson.  We also received two of the special edition Greg Luzinski bobble heads.

• Special photo cards were created for Zach Eflin, Mark Leiter, Jr., and Nick Pivetta, given that those pitchers were omitted from the first series team issued set.  I grabbed a Leiter, Jr. card but totally missed out on the Eflin and Pivetta cards.  Rookie mistake!  Next year, I'll look closer at the tables of those players not in the photo card set.  (Thanks to Rick and Steve for confirming the existence of these extra cards.)

• Team president Andy MacPhail was walking around personally thanking each of the players for their time at this event.  We had the chance to meet MacPhail towards the end of the event. He was extremely gracious and struck up a small conversation with Doug about his Little League season.

What a fantastic event and we'll be back next year!

2017 Phillies Team Issue #53 Joaquin Benoit

Nationals 6, Phillies 4
Game 12 - Sunday Afternoon, April 16th in Washington
Record - 4-8, 5th place, 3 games behind the Marlins and Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Joaquin Benoit and Bryce Harper combined to ruin Cesar Hernandez's big day as Harper's walk-off home run off the new Phillies' closer led to a 6-4 Nationals win.

What It Means:  I enjoyed relaxing and watching this game on Easter Sunday afternoon . . . until Benoit and Harper went and ruined it all.

What Happened:  Hernandez was on base four times with three hits and a walk, including a lead-off home run (3) to begin the game.  Daniel Nava and Tommy Joseph singled home two runs in the eighth to tie up the game at 3-3.  Freddy Galvis gave the Phillies a temporary lead in the ninth with a fielder's choice to score Aaron Altherr.

Harper homered off Benoit with two on and two outs in the ninth to give the Nationals the win and the series victory.

Featured Card:  This is the veteran Benoit's sole Phillies card to date, found within the team's photo card set.

Benoit Signed as Bullpen Help, Mariot DFA'd

2017 Chachi New Additions #4

This seems to be another offseason in which the Phillies will only make a few incremental improvements to their team as they wait for their top prospects to fully blossom.  On Tuesday, the signing of free-agent reliever Joaquin Benoit was officially announced, and Benoit is expected to fill a late-inning bullpen role.  The 15-year veteran split time last season between the Mariners and Blue Jays, compiling a 2.81 ERA over 48 innings pitched.

Benoit has several 2016 baseball card appearances to his name.  He appears with the Padres in Topps Series One and with the Blue Jays in Topps Update.  For some strange reason he has two cards within Topps Heritage, both featuring him with the Mariners.

Michael Mariot was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Benoit.

Moving On - 2016-2017 Offseason

• Cedric Hunter - of (10/3/16) - Elected free agency.
• James Russell - lhp (10/3/16) - Elected free agency.
• Emmanuel Burriss - inf (10/7/16) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Frank Herrmann - rhp (10/7/16) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Jimmy Paredes - of (10/7/16) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Patrick Schuster - lhp (10/7/16) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers, 11/5/16.
• Ryan Howard - 1b (11/3/16) - Team option declined and elected free agency.
• Charlie Morton - rhp (11/3/16) - Team option declined, elected free agency and signed with the Houston Astros, 11/16/16.
• Andres Blanco - inf (11/3/16) - Elected free agency.
• Peter Bourjos - of (11/3/16) - Elected free agency.
• A.J. Ellis - c (11/3/16) - Elected free agency.
• David Hernandez - rhp (11/3/16) - Elected free agency.
• Darin Ruf - 1b-of and Darnell Sweeney - inf-of (11/11/16) - Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Howie Kendrick.
• Elvis Araujo - rhp (11/18/16) - Claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins.
• David Buchanan - rhp (11/23/16) - Released.
• Cody Asche - of (12/2/16) - Designated for assignment and non-tendered.
• Michael Mariot - rhp (12/6/16) - Designated for assignment.

Coming Back

• Jeremy Hellickson - rhp (11/3/16) - Elected free agency, accepted team's qualifying offer, 11/14/16.

New Additions - 2016-2017 Offseason

• Pat Neshek - rhp (11/4/16) - Acquired from the Houston Astros for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
• Howie Kendrick - lf (11/11/16) - Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Darin Ruf and Darnell Sweeney.
• David Rollins - lhp (12/2/16) - Claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers.
• Joaquin Benoit - rhp (12/6/16) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Toronto Blue Jays.