Game 103 - Pivetta Struggles, Phils Acquire Cabrera from Mets

2017 Topps Heritage #116

2018 Bowman Prospects #BP84

Reds 6, Phillies 4
Game 103 - Friday Night, July 27th in Cincinnati
Record - 58-45, 1st place, 2 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Nick Pivetta continued his hot and cold season with a 12-strikeout performance, but he allowed five runs to score in this 6-4 loss to the Reds.

What It Means:  The Braves lost to the Dodgers so the Phillies hold steady with a 2 1/2 game lead in the division.

What Happened:  The big blow was a 3-run home run allowed to Mason Williams in the 4th inning.  Odubel Herrera hit a 2-run home run (19) in the 3rd, while Rhys Hoskins and Cesar Hernandez contributed RBI singles.  Former Phillie David Hernandez collected the win with 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.

Featured Cards/Transactions:  There were a few roster moves made before the game.  As expected, Ranger Suarez was optioned back to Lehigh Valley and outfielder Roman Quinn was recalled to take his place.  Quinn, hopefully now healthy, will provide a much-needed boost to the bench from both an offensive and defensive standpoint.  Adam Morgan was placed on the paternity list and Yacksel Rios was recalled to take his place in the bullpen.

And at long last, the Phillies pulled off a trade.  Pitching prospect Franklyn Kilome was sent to the New York Mets for infielder Asdrubal Cabrera.  No one is quite sure where Cabrera will play (probably shortstop) but his 18 home runs and 58 RBIs will be a welcome addition to the line-up.  Cabrera was a two-time All-Star with the Indians in 2011 and 2012 and he played for 8 seasons in Cleveland (2007-2014).  Since then, he's played with the Nationals (2014), Rays (2015) and Mets (2016-2018).  It looks as if his one 2018 mainstream baseball card can be found within Topps Series Two.

Kilome is a high price to play for a rental player.  Although his stock has fallen somewhat in recent years, he was still regarded as one of the franchise's top pitching prospects.  In 19 starts for Double-A Reading this year, he was 4-6 with a 4.24 ERA.  I've accumulated 24 baseball cards of this now ex-Phillie since 2015, and his latest (final?) Phillies card can be found in this year's Bowman release.

Arrived During the 2018 Season
Trevor Plouffe (4/23/18) - Signed as a minor league free agent, formerly with the Texas Rangers organization.
Asdrubal Cabrera (7/27/18) - Acquired from the New York Mets for Franklyn Kilome.

Departed During the 2018 Season
Drew Hutchison (6/5/18) - Designated for assignment and elected free agency.
Hoby Milner (7/15/18) - Sold to the Tampa Bay Rays.