Game 65 - Thursday Night, June 14th in Minneapolis
Record - 31-34, 5th Place, 9 games behind the Nationals
One Sentence Summary: Jim Thome remained red hot and Joe Blanton pitched a complete game in the 6-1 victory over the Twins.
What It Means: The Phillies won the series and won consecutive games for the first time in two weeks. They're still in last place, and they're still nine games back, but for the first time in what seems like forever, they played in an enjoyable game.
What Went Right: Blanton allowed a run on seven hits while striking out seven in his 111-pitch performance. He gave the beleaguered bullpen a rest and showed that he can still be an extremely effective pitcher when he wants to be.
Thome hit a three-run home run in the third, and the Phillies were in control from that point forward. Thome's nine RBIs in the three game series represent the most he's ever had over that span during his 22-year career. He now has 99 career home runs with the Phillies. His next homer will place him in exclusive company, as he'll become just one of four players to have hit at least 100 home runs with three different teams. Alex Rodriguez, Reggie Jackson and Darrell Evans are the other three players in that club.
Featured Card: Blanton is deserving of the featured card in this post, but I'm still a little upset with him as a result of his last few pitching performances. Besides, I want to ride Thome's hot streak for as long as possible.
I have a few cards in my collection that feature both Thome and Phillies all-time home run leader Mike Schmidt, but this is the only card I have that includes jersey swatches from both sluggers. (I just wish it didn't have such a ridiculously long name and card "number.")
That's an awesome dual-jersey card!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael!
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