Game 85 - Tuesday Night, July 2nd in Atlanta
Record - 45-40, 2nd place, 4 1/2 games behind the Braves
Annual Post-Vacation Game Summary Catch-Up, Part 6 of 10
One Sentence Summary: Aaron Nola was masterful in this 2-0 win against the division leading Braves.
What It Means: This was the high water mark of our vacation, as the win pulled the Phillies to within 4 1/2 games of first place. Things fell apart quickly after this.
What Happened: Nola went eight innings, allowing four hits and striking out eight. Hector Neris struck out the side in the ninth to earn his 17th save. Jay Bruce accounted for both Phillies runs with a two-run double in the fourth.
Featured Card: After a 14 year absence, Topps brought back its Topps Total brand this year through a convoluted and expensive online exclusive set to be released in "waves". I've passed on buying the cards directly from Topps and I'm piecing together the Phillies team set via online retailers and auctions. This is Nola's card from the set.
I love the idea (cards for bench players, middle relievers, etc.) but I hate the execution (high price, online exclusive).
I thought about Total but just getting the Phillies cards on eBay will cost about $120-$140, and I don't like the design. I may try to pick up cards of players that I don't think will likely be issued anywhere else. Fernando Salas, I'm looking at you!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the checklist at Cardboard Connection, Brad Miller has a card in Wave 5 - #477
ReplyDeletehttps://www.cardboardconnection.com/2019-topps-total-baseball-cards