Sunday, September 29, 2024

Game 161 - Phils Can't Deliver Wheeler's 17th Win

2024 Topps Now Orange #622
Nationals 6
Phillies 3
Game 161 - Saturday Afternoon, September 28th in Washington
Record - 94-67, 1st Place, 5 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies battled back, but a rare bad outing from reliever Jeff Hoffman gave the Nationals a 6-3 win in the penultimate game of the 2024 regular season.

What It Means:  The Phillies would play one more game on Sunday before getting the week off as four teams battle in the Wild Card Series.

What Happened:  Zack Wheeler was hoping for his 17th win of the season, and he departed after 6 1/3 innings with the Nationals holding a 2-0 lead.  Wheeler struck out 11, and allowed a two-run home run to James Wood in the sixth.  In the top of the eighth, Edmundo Sosa was hit by a pitch and with two outs, Trea Turner launched his 21st home run of the year to left-center field, tying the game.  

The Nationals would quickly take back the lead in the bottom of the eighth with Hoffman on the mound.  Wood tripled, Keibert Ruiz singled him home, Dylan Crews singled and Joey Gallo hit a three-run home run to give the Nationals a 6-2 lead.  The Phillies would score once more in the ninth, but it wouldn't be enough.

Featured Card:  Here's a cool card that recently arrived as a "bonus" from Topps within an order of Topps Now cards.  Numbered to 5, it celebrates Wheeler's 100th victory back on August 31st.

Field Report:  We were home for the start of this game following two fall ball tournament games for Doug's travel baseball team.  The Phillies didn't do much at the plate, but Doug connected for a home run and a double off the fence, with three hits on the day.  His team won both games.  His agent and videographer (his mother) provided the video embedded below, as I watched on proudly from the dugout.

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