Game 145 - Schwarber Sets Record, Tempers Flare, Phils Prevail

2023 Topps Heritage #508

Phillies 9, Rays 4
Game 145 - Tuesday Night, September 10th in Philadelphia
Record - 87-58, 1st Place, 8 games ahead of the Braves and Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Kyle Schwarber set a home run record and the Phillies plated five runs in the eighth inning, eventually winning the game, 9-4.

What It Means:  This game had a little bit of everything, including a good, old-fashioned bench clearing in the eighth.

What Happened:  Schwarber started the bottom of the first with this 14th lead-off home run of the season, breaking the single-season record set in 2003 by the Nationals' Alfonso Soriano.  The Rays kept battling, tying the game at 2-2 in the top of the third before Trea Turner hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the third to make it 4-2, Phillies.  The Rays would tie it again in the sixth, chasing the struggling Ranger Suarez from the game after 5 1/3 innings.

2024 Chachi #65

In the eighth, Brandon Marsh drew a walk and Kody Clemens doubled him to third, with the Rays then bringing in Edwin Uceta from the bullpen.  Pinch-hitter Cal Stevenson laced a two-run double to right, scoring both runners and giving the Phillies a 6-4 lead.  Buddy Kennedy then collected his first hit with the Phillies, driving home Clemens, and Turner followed that with his second two-run home run of the game.  With Uceta still on the mound, Bryce Harper doubled and Uceta then drilled Nick Castellanos in the back, causing both benches and bullpens to empty.  Uceta was ejected and would later receive a three-game suspension.

Featured Cards:  I went with a few cards for this game, with Turner getting the shaft even though he was 3 for 5 with two home runs.  Stevenson received a Phillies card last year in the Topps Heritage High Number release, even though he had yet to play a game with the team.  And I wanted to pay tribute to Schwarber's record breaking home run with a special highlight card.

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2024 Chachi #64 Seth Johnson / 2024 Chachi #66