Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Game 97 - Phils Can't Solve Strider in Loss

1977 Topps #638
Braves 6
, Phillies 3
Game 97 - Tuesday Night, July 26th in Philadelphia
Record - 50-47, 3rd Place, 10 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  A late rally wasn't nearly enough in this 6-3 loss to the Braves.

What It Means:  At least the sunset was pretty?  The Phillies couldn't figure out rookie pitcher Spencer Strider who held their line-up to three hits and struck out six in his six innings of work.

What Happened:  The Braves scored early and often on a night Aaron Nola didn't have close to his best stuff.  Nola was chased after six innings having allowed five runs on seven hits, including home runs to Michael Harris II and Matt Olson.  The slumping Kyle Schwarber hit his 31st home run in the sixth and J.T. Realmuto added a two-run home run in the ninth, but they weren't able to overcome the early deficit.

Featured Card:  Dick Allen should have been inducted into the Hall of Fame this past weekend, and hopefully he gets the call the next time the Veteran's Committee casts their votes.  The only Phillies connection to Cooperstown this past induction weekend was lefty Jim Kaat, who joined the Hall with a plaque showing the interlocking "TC" of the Twins logo on his cap.  Kaat was dealt to the Phillies from the White Sox in December 1975 with Mike Buskey for Alan Bannister, Dick Ruthven and Roy Thomas.  A veteran workhorse, he threw 227 2/3 innings for the club in the pennant-winning 1976 season, going 12-14 with 3.48 ERA in 38 appearances.  He made one start for the Phillies in the 1976 NLCS, as the starting pitcher in the decisive Game 3 won by the Reds, completing their 3-game sweep.  Kaat went six innings, allowing two runs on the way to a no decision.

Overall, Kaat appeared in 102 games for the Phillies between 1976 and 1979, and was 27-30 with a 4.23 ERA, compiling 11 complete games including two shutouts.

Field Report:  I watched this game from the suite level at the ballpark as part of a work function.  The food and the company was great, the game not so much.

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