Game 78 - 2019 Bowman #47 Maikel Franco

Phillies 13, Mets 7
Game 78 - Monday Night, June 24th in Philadelphia
Record - 40-38, 2nd place, 5 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies and Mets combined for 34 hits in this slugfest ultimately won by the Phillies, 13-7.

What It Means:  A curve ball machine was utilized in a pregame drill and Brad Miller brought a lucky bamboo plant into the clubhouse.  The seven game losing streak is over. 

What Happened:  Four Phillies homered - Jean Segura (8), Rhys Hoskins (17), Maikel Franco (10) and Jay Bruce (21).  Segura had a four hit night, while Scott Kingery, Cesar Hernandez and Franco each had three hits.

Featured Card:  Franco was re-inserted back into the line-up and immediately paid dividends, going 3 for 4 with three RBIs and raising his average to .214 in the process.

2012 Topps Heritage #336

Transactions:  Reliever Fernando Salas had his contract purchased from Lehigh Valley and Enyel De Los Santos was sent back down.  Andrew McCutchen was moved to the 60-day IL to create a spot on the 40-man roster for Salas.  A nine-year Major League veteran, Salas had been pitching for Acereros de Monclova in the Mexican League when the Phillies signed him to a minor league deal on June 13th.

His best year came in 2011 when he saved 24 games for the Cardinals and pitched to a 2.28 ERA over 68 games.  He won a World Series ring that season when the Cardinals defeated the Phillies in the N.L.D.S. and went on to beat the Rangers.  As a relief pitcher, Salas' baseball card appearances are rare, with his most recent appearance coming in the 2017 Topps Update set.

Salas is a prime candidate for a future Phillies Missing Links card, going to those Phillies players who never appeared on a Phillies baseball card.

Arrived During the 2019 Season

• Jay Bruce - of (6/2/19) - Acquired from the Seattle Mariners with cash considerations for Jake Scheiner.
• Brad Miller - inf (6/13/19) - Purchased from the New York Yankees.
• Fernando Salas - rhp (6/13/19) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.

Departed During the 2019 Season

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