Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Spring Training Game 16 - 2019 Topps Heritage Minor League #9 Matt Vierling

Blue Jays 14
, Phillies 5
Spring Training Game 16 - Tuesday Afternoon, March 16th in Clearwater
Record - 7-8-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Blue Jays unloaded on Aaron Nola and two other Phillies relievers, easily winning this exhibition contest, 14-5.

What It Means:  Maybe Nola was working on something?  Hopefully?  He lasted 2 2/3 innings, giving up six runs on seven hits.

What Happened:  The other two relievers dinged in this game were Brandon Kintzler and Tony Watson, both of whom had been stellar up until this point in the spring.  Kintzler gave up three unearned runs on four hits, while Watson was touched for four runs on five hits.  Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. went 4 for 4 with two doubles and a triple.  Jean Segura had a two-run single for the Phillies in the fourth with Matt Vierling adding a two-run home run in the seventh.

Featured Card:  Vierling, a mini-camp invitee and wearing #76, has never had a card featured on this blog so let's fix that here.  I have four of his cards in my collection, all from 2018 or 2019 and all showing him either with the Williamsport Crosscutters or the Clearwater Threshers.

Camp Head Count:  66 - 3 = 63.  Before the game, the Phillies optioned Nick Maton (inf) and Cristopher Sanchez (lhp) to minor league camp.  Following the game, C.J. Chatham (inf) was also optioned.  The Chatham move is a little surprising, as I had assumed he'd earn a spot on the opening day roster as the team's back-up infielder.  But in 10 spring games, Chatham batted only .174 (4 for 23).

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