Game 67 - Cubs Ride Four Homers to Victory Over Phils

Chicago Cubs	8
Philadelphia Phillies	4

2021 Topps Heritage #519

Tuesday Night, June 10th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
38-29, 2nd Place, 5 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Mick Abel allowed three home runs in his four innings of work, and the Phillies offense wasn't able to come up with many clutch hits in this 8-4 loss.

What It Means:  Why did I watch this entire game?

What Happened:  Abel would get a no-decision, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks in four innings.  Max Kepler hit a two-run home run in the second and Alec Bohm connected for a two-run single in the fifth to give the Phillies a brief 4-3 lead.  In the sixth, Ian Happ hit a two-run home run off Taijuan Walker, Happ's second home run of the day, giving the Cubs a 5-4 lead.

Featured Card:  In what may have been his final appearance with the Phillies, reliever Carlos Hernandez pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on two hits.  He did allow both inherited runners from Joe Ross to score, putting this game eventually out of reach. Hernandez was designated for assignment on Wednesday, and unless he clears waivers AND Topps somehow decides to give him a card in their Update set, Hernandez will likely never appear on a Phillies baseball card.  Hernandez hasn't appeared on a baseball card at all since 2022, and he's a little larger these days than he was on his 2021 Topps Heritage card.

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Spring Training Game 29 - Exhibition Season is Rounding Third and Heading Home

Detroit Tigers	2
Philadelphia Phillies	4

2022 Topps
Kansas City Royals #KC-16

Spring Training Game 29

Saturday Afternoon, March 23rd

BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL

Record - 14-13-2

One Sentence Summary:  Bryson Stott hit a two-run, inside-the-park home run and later singled another run home in this 4-2 win over the Tigers.

What It Means:  At this point, the goal is for everyone heading north to remain healthy.  There's just one more game to go, Monday afternoon.

What Happened:  Stott rounded the bases in the fifth after a scary collision involving Tigers' outfielders Max Clark and Justyn-Henry Malloy.  Brandon Marsh accounted for the fourth run of the game, singling home Stott in the seventh.  Aaron Nola pitched five innings in his final spring appearance, allowing a solo home run and striking out four.  Jose Alvarado continued his dominant spring, striking out the side in the seventh.

Featured Card:  Following the game, the Phillies announced they had claimed Carlos Hernandez off waivers from the Royals and Hernandez is expected to join the team's bullpen for opening day.  In five seasons with the Royals, Hernandez was 7-19 with a 4.95 ERA in 150 games and 256 1/3 innings pitched.  He had 226 strikeouts, 125 walks and four saves.  As is the case with most middle relievers, Hernandez's baseball card appearances are sparse, and his most recent non-minor league card can be found in the 2022 Topps Royals retail team set.

Camp Head Count:  31 - 2 + 1 = 30

Before the game, Michael Mercado (rhp) was optioned to Lehigh Valley.  After the game, Tyler Phillips (rhp) was designated for assignment to make room for Hernandez (rhp), claimed off waivers.  It was also announced that Ranger Suarez (lhp) would begin the season on the injured list, and that Matt Strahm (lhp) would not.