Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Spring Training Game 25 - Phils Lose to Pirates; Japan Wins WBC

2021 Topps Now Offseason #OS-42
Pirates 4
, Phillies 3
Spring Training Game 25 - Tuesday Afternoon, February 25th in Bradenton
Record - 12-12-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Pirates plated four late runs to overcome the Phillies by a 4-3 score in Bradenton.

What It Means:  Of course the big baseball game of the day was the World Baseball Classic Championship, featuring USA battling Japan.  Japan prevailed, with Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout to end the game, in a truly dramatic moment.  Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber provided all the offense for USA with a pair of home runs.  Turner's home run was his fifth, tying a World Baseball Classic record also held by Korea's Seung Yuop Lee.

What Happened:  The Phillies scored their runs on RBI singles from Scott Kingery and Weston Wilson, and a solo home run from Jake Cave.  Matt Strahm looked solid on the mound for the Phillies, throwing 2 1/3 innings, and striking out three while keeping the Pirates off the board.  Andrew Bellatti followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out a pair.

Featured Card:  Here's the only Ohtani card in my Phillies collection, featuring the 2021 MVPs on a dual Topps Now Offseason card.  And speaking of Bryce Harper, he'll apparently not begin the season on the 60-day IL, leaving the door open for an earlier than expected return.

Camp Head Count:  51 - 1 = 50

Prior to the game, Jeremy Walker (rhp) was reassigned to minor league camp.

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