Game 143 - Sunday Afternoon, September 12th in Philadelphia
Record - 72-71, 2nd Place, 4 1/2 games behind the Braves
One Sentence Summary: Aaron Nola was brilliant in this game until he wasn't, and Hector Neris allowed a two-run seventh inning home run to Garrett Hampson to give the Rockies the lead and the eventual win.
What It Means: The Phillies fell to 4 1/2 games behind the Braves in the division with the Mets only a half game behind them. They're somehow only 2 1/2 games out of the race for the second Wild Card behind the Cardinals and Reds. As Todd Zolecki Tweeted, the Phillies lost three out of four games to a Rookies team that was 18-50 on the road coming into the series.
What Happened: Nola struck out 10, but he faltered in the fifth inning, giving up a three-run home to Hampson - his first of the game. Both of Hampson's home runs, off Nola and Neris, came on 0-2 mistake pitches. J.T. Realmuto went 3 for 4 with an RBI double and Bryce Harper hit his 32nd home run of the season in the eighth.
Featured Card/Field Report: And we were there for this mostly enjoyable game, sitting in the Diamond Club after picking up our Phillies picnic table clothes - the game's rather unusual giveaway item. Doug and I had our usual Bull's pregame meal. For the record, Doug's menu item of choice is the pulled pork platter, cole slaw on top of the sandwich, with sides of baked beans and corn bread. I prefer the roasted turkey sandwich myself.
In the bottom of the sixth, right after Realmuto had scored on an Ashton Goudeau wild pitch, pinch-hitter Matt Joyce fouled a ball up and over the home plate netting onto the walk-way behind the Diamond Club seats. Doug was quick on his feet and snagged the ball as it rolled between two Phillies ushers. After years of never coming close to foul balls, we've now added two in the past month. The first one went to our youngest son Ben back on August 28th off the bat of Jean Segura.
Transactions: Vince Velasquez (rhp), designated for assignment on Saturday, was released. At some point after the season ends, I'll compose a post-mortem post, looking at those Phillies who departed during the season, including Velasquez. Andrew Knapp (c) was activated from the Covid injured list and Rafael Marchan (c) was optioned to Lehigh Valley. Enyel De Los Santos (rhp) was designated for assignment to make room for Knapp on the 40-man roster.
2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist
Transactions: Vince Velasquez (rhp), designated for assignment on Saturday, was released. At some point after the season ends, I'll compose a post-mortem post, looking at those Phillies who departed during the season, including Velasquez. Andrew Knapp (c) was activated from the Covid injured list and Rafael Marchan (c) was optioned to Lehigh Valley. Enyel De Los Santos (rhp) was designated for assignment to make room for Knapp on the 40-man roster.
2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist
Congrats to Ben and Doug on their foul balls! I caught two major league foul balls, and they were in consecutive years: 1998 in Oakland and 1999 at the Vet. I'd love to catch another someday! Sitting in the Diamond Club or in the first few rows near the dugouts seems to be a recipe for success for a kid to go home with a baseball.
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