Thursday, May 13, 2021

Game 37 - 2019 Topps Allen & Ginter #246 Odubel Herrera

Phillies 5
, Nationals 2 (10 Innings)
Game 37 - Wednesday Night, May 12th in Washington
Record - 20-17, 2nd Place, 1 game behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Odubel Herrera's game-tying home run in the ninth sent this game to extra innings and the Phillies plated three in the 10th to win, 5-2.

What It Means:  The Phillies are the first team in their division to win 20 games, yet they're still a game behind the Mets.  The Mets have played six less games and are 18-13.  This win gave the Phillies their first road series win since mid-September 2019, and a win this afternoon gives them the series sweep.

What Happened:  Zack Wheeler went six strong innings for the Phillies but a lack of offense and shoddy outfield play saw him depart with the Nationals leading, 2-1.  The shoddy outfield play came courtesy of Herrera and Bryce Harper who let a ball drop in between them and then collided in the sixth, allowing the Nationals to take the lead.

In the 10th, and with Andrew McCutchen beginning the inning at second as the zombie runner, Harper singled to move McCutchen to third.  Clutch singles then followed from Rhys Hoskins, Nick Maton and Andrew Knapp to give the Phillies a somewhat comfortable three-run lead.  Hector Neris pitched a perfect bottom of the inning for his seventh save.

Featured Card:  Herrera's game-tying home run came off Nationals' closer Brad Hand with one out in the ninth.  In his first nine games of the season, Herrera was 2 for 24 (.083) and looked lost at that plate.  In his last seven games, including last night, Herrera is batting .375 (9 for 24) with two doubles and two home runs.  With Roman Quinn injured, Scott Kingery mired in a perpetual funk and Adam Haseley having stepped away from the game, it seems as if the center field position is once again Herrera's.

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