Spring Training Game 12 - Phils Fall Quietly to Orioles

2023 Topps Heritage #588

Orioles 3, Phillies 2
Spring Training Game 12 - Tuesday Afternoon, March 5th in Clearwater
Record - 4-5-3

One Sentence Summary:  A quiet Phillies offense continued to work on some stuff, as Zack Wheeler made his first start since signing his big three-year contract extension.

What It Means:  The Phillies dipped below the .500 mark for the first time this spring, but I don't think any of us are too concerned at this point.

What Happened:  Wheeler went two innings, striking out four and allowing a run on two hits.  Max Castillo entered next and looked great, striking out four and allowing three hits in his three innings.  Jake Cave singled home a run for the Phillies in the fourth after J.T. Realmuto led off with a double.  The Phillies tacked on a run in the ninth when Nick Podkul scored on an infield single from Pedro Martinez.

Featured Card:  Cave, the last out of the Phillies disappointing 2023 playoff run, and now battling for a bench spot, is batting .364 this spring.  He received his first solo mainstream Phillies card in the 2023 Topps Heritage set.

Camp Head Count:  62

I would expect the first spring cuts to start happening any day now.  Only four players haven't yet seen any spring action - Rafael Marchan (c) with a back injury, Brandon Marsh (of) who is recovering from left knee surgery, Taijuan Walker (rhp) with a knee ailment and Ricardo Pinto (rhp) who has had visa issues.