Game 93 - The Big Piece Retires; Franco Walks It Off

2019 Chachi #54

Phillies 4, Nationals 3
Game 93 - Sunday Afternoon, July 14th in Philadelphia
Record - 48-45, 3rd place, 8 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  On the day Ryan Howard officially retired, Maikel Franco provided a dramatic walk-off home run to give the Phillies a 4-3 win.

What It Means:  The win meant a sweep was avoided and the Dodgers, the best team in baseball, come to town for a four-game set.

What Happened:  Franco hit his blast with one out in the ninth off reliever Matt Grace, and it was also his 100th career home run.  The heroics were necessitated when the Nationals scored a pair of runs off JD Hammer in the seventh, tying the game at three.  J.T. Realmuto had two RBIs, including his 11th home run in the sixth.

Jake Arrieta threw five innings with his elbow bone spur, allowing a run on four hits.

2019 Chachi Greatest Moments #4

Featured Cards:  Franco gets a highlight card for his walk-off home run and hitting the century mark, but I also wanted to make a card commemorating Howard's day.  This was the final of three retirement ceremonies this season for alumni from the 2008 World Championship team and it followed similar ceremonies for Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley.  The usual suspects were in attendance (Charlie Manuel, Milt Thompson) with Mike Trout and Ken Griffey, Jr. delivering pre-recorded messages.

He ended his on-field speech with a plea for the fans about the 2019 Phillies team, "Damn it, they're trying. Don't ever boo these men. I'm out."

Transactions:  Tommy Hunter landed back on the injured list with a right forearm strain and Edubray Ramos was recalled.  Hunter has been limited to just five appearances this season due to injuries.