Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Game 76 - 2010 Topps #235 Neftali Feliz

Reds 12
, Phillies 4
Game 76 - Monday Night, June 28th in Cincinnati
Record - 36-40, 4th Place, 5 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  A late-inning bullpen implosion resulted in ten Reds runs scored in the seventh and eighth innings as the Phillies fell dramatically, 12-4.

What It Means:  After enjoying our first day in the Magic Kingdom during our vacation, I was treated to this Tweet from Matt Gelb, summarizing the game as follows:  "In a season of gruesome losses, it was one of the most disgusting yet."

What Happened:  Bailey Falter entered the game in the third, after starter Spencer Howard lasted just 2 1/3 innings and gave up a pair of runs.  Falter pitched four solid innings, allowing a run while striking out six.  The Phillies held a 4-2 lead heading to the bottom of the seventh, with Alec Bohm and Ronald Torreyes each driving in two runs, but then the wheels came off.

Neftali Feliz, the 2010 A.L. Rookie of the Year, entered the game, making his first big league appearance since August 13, 2017 when he was pitching for the Royals.  Feliz was hit often and hard, with the big blow coming from Nick Castellanos in the form of a go-ahead grand slam.  Enyel De Los Santos fared even worse in the eighth, allowing six more runs to score.  Nick Maton had to enter the game to retire the final batter in the bottom of the eighth - Tony Santillan, a pitcher, who struck out as a pinch-hitter.

Featured Card:  We know now that this would be one of only two appearances Feliz would make in a Phillies uniform.  The former All-Star closer saved a career high 40 games for the Rangers in 2010.

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