Saturday, May 6, 2023

Game 33 - Losing Streak Reaches Five Game

2023 Phillies Kids Club
Red Sox 5
, Phillies 3
Game 33 - Friday Night, May 5th in Philadelphia
Record - 15-18, 4th Place, 7 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler couldn't halt the losing streak and the Phillies' offense continued  its absence in this 5-3 series opening loss against the Red Sox.

What It Means:  The Phillies are in the midst of a bad stretch, having lost their fifth in a row.  They've been outscored 45-17, with their starting pitchers during the span putting together a 9.53 ERA.

What Happened:  The first run of the game scored off Wheeler after Kyle Schwarber dropped a Raimel Tapia fly ball in left field to start the game.  Tapia would could around to score later in the inning.  Wheeler would allow two more runs in the third and be charged with two runs in the sixth.  The Phillies bunched all their runs in the fourth inning.  Bryce Harper, making his 2023 home debut, singled to start the inning and scored on a Nick Castellanos double.  J.T. Realmuto tripled to bring Castellanos home, and Alec Bohm singled home Realmuto.

In the ninth, the Phillies put two runners on against closer Kenley Jansen with one out.  Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner struck out swinging, stranding the runners and adding a game to the losing streak.

Featured Card:  I signed our youngest son Ben up for the Phillies Kids Club, solely interested in the team-issued cards made available for young fans attending games.  Ben picked up this Harper card, which is one of 12 and features a Phillies Kids Club logo on the back.  We'll do our best to get the remaining 11 cards throughout the rest of the season.

Field Report:  We were there for a work event, having procured Suite 5.  Doug and I were late arrivals as his high school game went about 90 minutes too long.

Transactions:  On Thursday, the Phillies optioned Yunior Marte (rhp) to Lehigh Valley and selected the contract of Jeff Hoffman (rhp).  James McArthur (rhp) was designated for assignment to make room for Hoffman on the 40-man roster.  Also, Nick Nelson (rhp) was activated and optioned to Double-A Reading where he'll be stretched out as a starting pitcher.

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