Game 59 - Bruce Acquired from Mariners; Bullpen Implodes in 8th

2019 Topps #45

Dodgers 8, Phillies 0
Game 59 - Sunday Afternoon, June 2nd in Los Angeles
Record - 33-26, 1st place, 1 game ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies wasted a great start from Nick Pivetta and the bullpen absolutely imploded in the eighth inning, as the Dodgers won 8-0.

What It Means:  This was the first time the Phillies have been swept all season, and it comes while the Braves were winning two out of three in their series with the Tigers.  The Phillies spent the entire month of May with at least a game and half lead in the division, and as June starts that lead is down to a single game.

What Happened:  Pivetta was great through six innings, allowing three hits, no runs and striking out nine.  He was lifted for a pinch-hitter, Phil Gosselin, in the seventh as the Phillies were threatening with two runners on.  Gosselin struck out looking to end the inning.  The Dodgers scored seven runs in the eighth off relievers Edgar Garcia and Yacksel Rios.  The offense had three hits.

Featured Card:  This was Pivetta's best outing of the year, and he deserved better.

2019 Topps Heritage #99

2018 Choice Lakewood BlueClaws #28

Transactions:  As this game was just getting underway, the Phillies officially announced they had acquired outfielder Jay Bruce and cash from the Mariners for prospect Jake Scheiner.  Bruce will provide a left-handed bat off the bench, and he'll probably get some starts given the future of Odubel Herrera remains murky.  Bruce has already been in a few Topps releases this season, and his most recent baseball card appearance is the Topps Now card he received when he hit his 300th career home run on Friday night.

A fourth round draft pick in 2017, Scheiner had earned a promotion to Clearwater to start the 2019 season.  I have two baseball cards for him in my collection from the 2017 Crosscutters and the 2018 BlueClaws team sets.

Arrived During the 2019 Season

• Jay Bruce (6/2/19) - Acquired from the Seattle Mariners with cash considerations for Jake Scheiner.

Departed During the 2019 Season

• Aaron Altherr (5/12/19) - Selected off waivers by the San Francisco Giants.