Saturday, September 30, 2023

Game 159 - Phils Fall Flat in Series Finale

2022 Topps Throwback
Thursday #77
Pirates 3
, Phillies 2
Game 159 - Thursday Night, September 28th in Philadelphia
Record - 89-70, 2nd Place, 14 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies looked fairly flat in this series finale loss, also the final regular home game of the 2023 season.

What It Means:  The Phillies will be back at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday for Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.

What Happened:  Kyle Schwarber led off the bottom of the first with his 46th home run of the season, tying his league leading total from 2022.  Jared Triolo doubled home a run for the Pirates in the top of the third, tying the score at 1-1.  Triolo gave his club the lead in the top of the fifth with another RBI double, and Jack Suwinski singled home the Pirates' third run of the day a batter later.  The Phillies would score their final run in the eighth after Trea Turner doubled, stole third and came home on a throwing error from catcher Jason Delay.

Featured Card:  In the bottom of the third, Bryce Harper checked his swing on a 3-2 count and was ruled to have swung by third base umpire Angel Hernandez.  Harper had some justifiable words for Hernandez and was promptly tossed from the ballgame.  Harper went a little nuts on Hernandez and threw his helmet into the stands on his way into the Phillies' dugout.  I went through recent Phillies binders looking for a card to represent Harper's rage, and I thought this one would be appropriate to feature.  From last year, this is a Throwback Thursday online exclusive card using the design of the 1979 Topps Incredible Hulk set.

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