Saturday, September 30, 2023

Game 158 - Phils Prevail in Hangover Game

2022 Topps Update #US315
Phillies 7
, Pirates 6
Game 158 - Wednesday Night, September 27th in Philadelphia
Record - 89-69, 2nd Place, 13 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  With most of the regular line-up getting the day off following Tuesday's clincher, the reserves overcame the Pirates, 7-6.

What It Means:  Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, J.T. Realmuto and Nick Castellanos all got the night off in the so-called hangover game.

What Happened:  Ranger Suarez, who was one of the main revelers in the clubhouse the night before, somehow cobbled together 4 2/3 innings of work, allowing six runs on nine hits.  With the Phils trailing 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Garrett Stubbs blasted a three-run home run, his first of the season.  Edmundo Sosa added a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth, and Cristian Pache singled home Bryce Harper later in the inning to tie the game, 6-6.  The Phillies took the lead for good when Harper hit a solo home run to center, his 21st of the season.

Orion Kerkering pitched a scoreless seventh inning, earning his first big league win, and Gregory Soto struck out the side in the ninth for his third save of the season.

Featured Card:  Similar to what happened last year, I'm hoping Stubbs finds his way into the Topps Update set.  This is his card from the 2022 Topps Update release, and is one of two mainstream baseball cards featuring the popular back-up catcher with the Phillies.  The other is a Topps Now card celebrating his walk-off home run last June.

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