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Saturday, September 26, 2020

Game 58 - Wake Me Up When September Ends

Rays 6, Phillies 4
Game 58 - Friday Night, September 25th in St. Petersburg
Record - 28-30, 3rd Place, 6 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Up 4-1 in the fifth, the Phillies couldn't add on runs or hold off the Rays in this crushing 6-4 loss.

What It Means:  It means so much.  First and foremost, it means I'm looking forward to taking a break from the Phillies.  This has been a frustrating season in more ways than one, and going to bed angry at the Phillies most nights can't be great for my mental health.

The loss also guarantees the Phillies won't have a winning season.  They've not enjoyed a winning season since 2011, which is also the year of their last playoff appearance.  And if they can't win the next two games against the Rays AND the Giants win their next two games, the Phillies playoff drought will be the longest in the National League.  

It means we could be watching the final games of Didi Gregorius and more painfully J.T. Realmuto in Phillies uniforms.  Finally, it means General Manager Matt Klentak and team President Andy MacPhail should and hopefully will be out of jobs by mid-October.  It means too much.

What Happened:  Alec Bohm (RBI single) and Bryce Harper (RBI triple and single) paced the offense, but then the Phillies line-up was handcuffed by a strong Rays bullpen from the sixth inning on.  Vince Velasquez gave way to Tommy Hunter in the fifth and Hunter gave up a game-tying home run to Brett Phillips in the sixth.  In the decisive eighth inning, Adam Morgan replaced Connor Brogdon (who had struck out the side in the seventh) and Morgan promptly loaded the bases.  Hector Neris replaced Morgan, allowed a two-run single to Joey Wendle, and the Rays had the lead.

Featured Card:  Ugh.  And of all the teams that could have possibly led to the Phillies' demise this season, it's going to come down to the performance of Gabe Kapler's Giants.  Hard to believe, Harry.

Transaction:  Mickey Moniak (of) and Ramon Rosso (rhp) were optioned to Lehigh Valley.  Ranger Suarez (lhp) was recalled and Spencer Howard (rhp) was activated from the injured list.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

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