Monday, May 10, 2010

2010 Chachi #23 Jose Contreras

Phillies 5, Braves 3
Game 31 - Sunday Afternoon, May 9th in Philadelphia

The bullpen and three solo home runs paved the way to victory for the Phillies on Mother's Day. Using a pink bat in honor of the day, Placido Polanco hit the first of the team's homers in the 2nd inning. Jayson Werth followed in the 3rd and Shane Victorino added his in the 7th. The bullpen trio of Chad Durbin, Jose Contreras and Brad Lidge combined for four scoreless innings, necessitated by Cole Hamels' early exit. Lidge earned his first save of 2010, recording his first two outs on long fly balls that most likely would have tied the game had the wind not been blowing in at the ballpark.

The win capped a successful 7-3 homestand as the Phillies now head out on the road for 6 games in Denver and Milwaukee.

A Special Mother's Day: Prior to the game, an on field ceremony was held to honor the mother of relief pitcher Jose Contreras, 75-year-old Modesta Camejo. Camejo was recently granted permission to come to the U.S., and she hadn't seen her son in the eight years since he had defected from Cuba. (There's a great story on the Phillies website fully detailing the touching reunion.)

Contreras, who assumes the set-up role vacated by an injured Ryan Madson, has been one of the team's most effective relievers so far this year. He's card #23 in the 2010 Chachi set.

Phillies debut: April 8, 2010
Major League debut: March 31, 2003
How acquired: Signed as a free agent formerly with the Colorado Rockies
Others wearing #52 in the 2000s: Steve Schrenk 2000, Felipe Crespo 2001, Carlos Silva 2002-2003, Fabio Castro 2006-2007, Tyler Walker 2009
2009 Postseason: Jose appeared in two relief appearances for the Rockies against the Phillies in the NLDS, allowing a run (on a Carlos Ruiz RBI-single) in his two innings of work.
Pictured: Spring Training action, March 3, 2010

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