2014 Bowman Chrome Top 5 Mini Refractors #BM-PP3 J.P. Crawford

Nationals 10, Phillies 3
Game 95 - Sunday Afternoon, July 13th in Philadelphia
Record - 42-53, 5th Place, 10 games behind the Braves and Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies limped into the All-Star break after suffering a lopsided loss to the Nationals, 10-3.

What It Means:  Once again, any momentum or good vibes from a recent win streak are gone and this game served as a microcosm of the club's entire first half.  The Phillies ended the 2013 first half with a 48-48 record, 6 1/2 games out of first place.  Who would have thought that they'd fall even further in 2014.

What Happened:  Kyle Kendrick continued to allow first inning runs, spotting the Nationals a 3-0 lead before fans were settled into their seats at Citizens Bank Park.  The offense managed five hits and went 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position.

2014 Bowman Chrome Top 5
Mini Refractors #BM-PP1

Featured Cards:  With the way the season is going for the Phillies, a healthy alternative to wallowing in the present is to look to the future.  Top prospects J.P. Crawford and Maikel Franco took place in the annual Futures Game yesterday in Minneapolis.  Playing for the U.S. team, shortstop Crawford went 1 for 2 with a single and nearly beat out an infield ground-out for his second hit.  Third baseman Franco went 0 for 2 for the World Team and made the final out of the game, hitting the ball hard to center.

Both players have cards in this year's Bowman release, and I hope to be adding Phillies cards of these two players to my collection for years to come.