Friday, July 18, 2014

Phillies at Braves: July 18th to July 20th

Friday 7:35, Saturday 7:10 and Sunday 1:35
Turner Field - Atlanta, GA

Phillies 42-53, 5th Place in the N.L. East, 10 games behind the Braves and Nationals
Braves 52-43, Tied for 1st Place in the N.L. East, 7 games ahead of the Mets

Phillies Probables:  A.J. Burnett (6-8, 3.83), Cole Hamels (3-5, 2.93), Kyle Kendrick (4-9, 4.62)
Braves Probables:  Ervin Santana (7-6, 4.01), TBD, TBD

At the Ballpark:  There will be fireworks following tonight's game.  Sunday is Alumni Sunday and former Braves Tony Brizzolara, Todd Pratt and Dwight Smith will be signing autographs prior to the game.  I had to look it up and I barely remember Pratt finishing out his career with the 2006 Braves.

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Ben Revere - .295
Runs:  Chase Utley - 51
Home Runs:  Marlon Byrd - 18
RBIs:  Ryan Howard - 56
Stolen Bases:  Ben Revere - 26

Wins:  A.J. Burnett - 6
ERA:  Cole Hamels - 2.93
Strikeouts:  A.J. Burnett - 108
Saves:  Jonathan Papelbon - 22

1988 Topps #440, #298 and #755
1988 Topps Appreciation:  We're starting off the second half with a trio of players involved in the same trade back on December 10, 1985.  To make run for Darren Daulton and John Russell, the Phillies traded All-Star catcher Ozzie Virgil (and minor leaguer Pete Smith) to the Braves for reliever Steve Bedrosian and outfielder Milt Thompson.  It turned out to be a pretty good deal for the Phils.

Virgil didn't hit for average, but he was coming off two of his better seasons in 1984 and 1985 when he hit 18 and 19 home runs respectively.  He'd hit a career high 27 home runs with the 1987 Braves while driving in 72 runs and making his second All-Star squad.

On the other end of the deal, Bedrosian assumed the closer's role from Kent Tekulve in 1986 and he'd win the Cy Young Award in 1987.  His finest season, Bedrock saved 40 games that year while pitching to a 2.83 ERA over 65 games.  Thompson also had a memorable 1987 season, earning some MVP votes for hitting .302 with 46 stolen bases.  He's probably best remembered (as a player at least) for his second stint with the club, when he platooned in left field with Pete Incaviglia during the memorable 1993 season.

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