| Atlanta Braves | 4 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 2 |
 |
| 2015 Topps Update #US166 |
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
8-13, 4th Place, 6 1/2 games behind the Braves
8-13, 4th Place, 6 1/2 games behind the Braves
One Sentence Summary: The Phillies went relatively quietly against the Braves, dropping this game on a rainy and raw Sunday night in front of a national audience and limping out of town to Chicago.
What It Means: I'm not joining the portion of the fanbase calling for Rob Thomson to be fired. I don't think a new manager would be able to figure out why none of the team's sluggers are doing their jobs, and I never think panic is a viable strategy. I do think changes are needed, and maybe that's a shake-up with the coaching staff, a trade, a high-profile demotion . . . something.
What Happened: The Phillies took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Kyle Schwarber dropped his seventh home run of the year just over the right field wall. Trea Turner had singled in front of him to start the game. And that was the run output for the night. They had chances, going 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, but a big inning or a clutch hit just never showed up. Andrew Painter went four innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Tim Mayza entered the game in a critical spot and allowed both of his inherited runners from Painter to score. In the bottom of the ninth, with two runners on, Schwarber lined out to Ronald Acuna, Jr. to end the game, in what likely would have been a game-tying double with anyone else in right field.
Featured Card: This is the team's worst start through 21 games since the 99-loss 2015 season when they also started 8-13. Manager Ryne Sandberg would announce he had had enough that June and he was replaced by Pete Mackanin on an interim basis. That team fell to 8-13 on April 28, 2015 in a 11-5 loss to the Cardinals. Starter Severino Gonzalez allowed seven runs on 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings. This 2026 Phillies team is currently giving me 2015 vibes.
What It Means: I'm not joining the portion of the fanbase calling for Rob Thomson to be fired. I don't think a new manager would be able to figure out why none of the team's sluggers are doing their jobs, and I never think panic is a viable strategy. I do think changes are needed, and maybe that's a shake-up with the coaching staff, a trade, a high-profile demotion . . . something.
What Happened: The Phillies took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Kyle Schwarber dropped his seventh home run of the year just over the right field wall. Trea Turner had singled in front of him to start the game. And that was the run output for the night. They had chances, going 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, but a big inning or a clutch hit just never showed up. Andrew Painter went four innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Tim Mayza entered the game in a critical spot and allowed both of his inherited runners from Painter to score. In the bottom of the ninth, with two runners on, Schwarber lined out to Ronald Acuna, Jr. to end the game, in what likely would have been a game-tying double with anyone else in right field.
Featured Card: This is the team's worst start through 21 games since the 99-loss 2015 season when they also started 8-13. Manager Ryne Sandberg would announce he had had enough that June and he was replaced by Pete Mackanin on an interim basis. That team fell to 8-13 on April 28, 2015 in a 11-5 loss to the Cardinals. Starter Severino Gonzalez allowed seven runs on 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings. This 2026 Phillies team is currently giving me 2015 vibes.
