Game 41 - Phils Can't Overcome Cards

St. Louis Cardinals	3
Philadelphia Phillies	2

2025 Topps Heritage Chrome
Light Blue Sparkle Refractor #7

Monday Night, May 12th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
24-17, 2nd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Matt Strahm surrendered his first home run of the season to Masyn Winn in the seventh inning, leading to this 3-2 loss to the Cardinals.

What It Means:  The Phillies need to win the next two against the Cardinals to improve their series win streak to six.

What Happened:  Cristopher Sanchez pitched well, giving up single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, and striking out eight.  The Phillies would tie the game, twice, in the bottom of both those innings.  In the fourth, Edmundo Sosa singled home J.T. Realmuto, and in the sixth, Kyle Schwarber scored when Realmuto grounded into a fielder's choice.  Schwarber's streak for reaching base safely reached 47 games.  The offense went 1 for 7 overall with runners in scoring position.

Featured Card:  Statistically, Strahm continues to be one of the Phillies' best relievers, but I can't help but get nervous every time he takes the mound.  This is a shiny card of his, with a really long name, recently added to my collection from the new Topps Heritage set.

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Game 40 - Schwarbombs Back Wheeler's Gem

Philadelphia Phillies	3
Cleveland Guardians	0

2025 Topps Now Road to
Opening Day #OD-182

Sunday Night, May 11th

Progressive Field - Cleveland, OH
24-16, 2nd Place, 1 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Kyle Schwarber accounted for all the Phillies offense with home runs and Zack Wheeler struck out eight over seven innings in this 3-0 win.

What It Means:  The Phillies won their fifth series in a row since being swept by the Mets at the end of April.  They returned home on Monday for six games with the Cardinals and Pirates.

What Happened:  Wheeler improved to 4-1, giving up three hits and walking a pair.  Jose Alvarado and Jordan Romano shut the Guardians down over the final two innings, with Romano earning his third save.  Schwarber hit a solo home run in the second and added a two-run home run in the eighth to give the Phillies some breathing room.

Featured Card:  Through this game, Schwarber had reached base in 46 consecutive games, dating back to last season.  Only three players are in front of him for the franchise record - Mike Schmidt (56), Chuck Klein (49) and Bobby Abreu (48).

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St. Louis Cardinals at Philadelphia Phillies - N.L. Central in Town for Six

2005 Topps #94

2005 Topps #514

Monday, May 12th - 6:45
Tuesday, May 13th - 6:45
Wednesday, May 14th - 1:05

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
It's another Hatfield Phillies Franks BOGO night on Monday.

St. Louis Cardinals 22-19
2nd Place in the N.L. Central, 1 game behind the Cubs

Cardinals Probables
Matthew Liberatore (3-3, 3.07)
Sonny Gray (4-1, 3.50)
Erick Fedde (3-3, 3.86)

Cardinals Leaders
Average:  Brendan Donovan - .318
Runs:  Lars Nootbar - 26
Home Runs:  Willson Contreras and Lars Nootbar - 6
RBIs:  Willson Contreras - 23
Stolen Bases:  Victor Scott - 11

Wins:  Sonny Gray - 4
ERA:  Matthew Liberatore - 3.07

Strikeouts:  Sonny Gray - 47
Saves:  Ryan Hensley - 7

Philadelphia Phillies 24-16
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 1 1/2 games behind the Mets

Phillies Probables
Cristopher Sanchez (4-1, 2.89)
Jesus Luzardo (3-0, 2.11)
Aaron Nola (1-6, 4.89)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Trea Turner - .310
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 29
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 14
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 32
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 9

Wins:  Three tied with - 4
ERA:  Jesus Luzardo - 2.11
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 74
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 6

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Game 39 - Suarez Stellar Against Guardians

Philadelphia Phillies	7
Cleveland Guardians	1

2024 Topps Heritage #685

Saturday Night, May 10th

Progressive Field - Cleveland, OH
23-16, 2nd Place, 1 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Ranger Suarez returned to his All-Star form and the Phillies exploded for six runs in the eighth inning in this 7-1 win over the Guardians.

What It Means:  The Phillies will go for a series win tonight against the Guardians in the ESPN Sunday Night game.

What Happened:  Suarez looked smooth through seven innings, needing only 82 pitches to shut down the Guardians and hold their line-up to three hits.  He struck out five and walked a batter on the way to his first win of 2025.  In the fourth, Trea Turner singled, Bryce Harper doubled and Kyle Schwarber singled home Turner for the game's first run.  Guardians' reliever Joey Cantillo got hit around a bit in the eighth.  Harper greeted him with a two-run home run after Cantillo relieved Jakob Junis.  What followed quickly put the Phillies up by a 7-0 score - Schwarber singled, Nick Castellanos singled, Max Kepler doubled, J.T. Realmuto walked, Brandon Marsh singled and Edmundo Sosa singled.

Featured Card:  Here's Suarez's 2024 Topps Heritage card, from the High Numbers series not released until last month.

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Game 38 - Cleveland Rocks Nola, Phils

Philadelphia Phillies	0
Cleveland Guardians	6

2019 Topps Big League #354

Friday Night, May 9th

Progressive Field - Cleveland, OH
22-16, 2nd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola surrendered two costly home run and the Phillies offense managed six hits, dropping this series opener with a 6-0 loss.

What It Means:  The Phillies have been shut out four times already this season.  Nola started two of those games.

What Happened:  Nola gave up home runs to Kyle Manzardo in the fourth, a solo shot, and to Angel Martinez in the fifth, a two-run homer.  He departed the game after five innings with his team trailing, 4-0.  Joe Ross gave up two more runs, including a Jose Ramirez solo home run, in the seventh.  Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos both had two hits for the Phillies but the offense overall went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

Featured Card:  I managed to amass 20 Carlos Santana cards in my Phillies Collection based on the one year he played with the club in 2018.  This one, from the 2019 Topps Big League set, features a future Phillie more prominently than Santana.  Santana is a 16-year veteran, now in his third stint with Cleveland, and he's gotten off to a slow start, batting .229 with four home runs and 17 RBIs so far in 2025.

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Philadelphia Phillies at Cleveland Guardians - Mother's Day Weekend Series

2005 Topps #420

2005 Topps #183

Friday, May 9th - 7:10
Saturday, May 10th - 6:10
Sunday, May 11th - 7:10

Progressive Field - Cleveland, OH
On Saturday night, the first 15,000 fans will receive a Steven Kwan City Connect cap.

Philadelphia Phillies 22-15
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 1 1/2 games behind the Mets

Phillies Probables
Aaron Nola (1-5, 4.61)
Ranger Suarez (0-0, 17.18)
Zack Wheeler (3-1, 3.35)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Trea Turner - .310
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 26
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 12
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 28
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 9

Wins:  Jose Alvarado and Cristopher Sanchez - 4
ERA:  Jesus Luzardo - 2.11
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 66
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 6

Cleveland Guardians 22-15
Tied for 2nd Place in the A.L. Central, 2 1/2 games behind the Tigers

Guardians Probables
Gavin Williams (2-2, 5.06)
Tanner Bibee (3-2, 4.26)
Luis Ortiz (2-3, 5.30)

Guardians Leaders
Average:  Steve Kwan - .333
Runs:  Steve Kwan - 24
Home Runs:  Kyle Manzardo - 8
RBIs:  Kyle Manzardo - 21
Stolen Bases:  Jose Ramirez - 8

Wins:  Emmanuel Clase - 4
ERA:  Ben Lively - 3.46

Strikeouts:  Luis Ortiz - 40
Saves:  Emmanuel Clase - 8

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Game 37 - Impressive Comeback Completes Sweep of Rays

Philadelphia Phillies	7
Tampa Bay Rays	6

10 Innings

2025 Topps Heritage #135

Thursday Night, May 8th

George M. Steinbrenner Field - Tampa, FL
22-15, 2nd Place, 1 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Trailing 5-1 heading into the eighth inning, Bryson Stott's three-run home run started an impressive scoring run leading to this 7-6 Phillies comeback win in 10 innings.

What It Means:  The Phillies completed their first road sweep of the season, and their first overall sweep since handling the Rockies in early April.  Three games against the surging Guardians await them next.

What Happened:  Jesus Luzardo didn't have his best stuff, battling through 5 1/3 innings and allowing a pair of runs.  The to-date reliable reliever Tanner Banks allowed a three-run home run in the seventh to Yandy Diaz, seemingly ending the Phillies' sweep chances.  In the top of the eighth, J.T. Realmuto and Brandon Marsh reached on singles before Stott blasted his home run to right field, getting the game to within a run at 5-4.  They'd tie the game in the ninth when pinch-runner Johan Rojas scampered all the way to third on an errant pickoff throw from Pete Fairbanks.  Rojas would cross the plate on a Max Kepler groundout to tie the score.

In the 10th, Marsh promptly doubled home ghost runner Edmundo Sosa and Trea Turner added an insurance run, scoring Marsh.  Matt Strahm made it interesting in the bottom of the 10th before striking out Jose Caballero to lock down the win and his second save of the season.

Featured Card:  Marsh had a few big hits, but Stott's three-run home run breathed life into what looked to be a slumbering offense.  Here's his 1976 Topps-inspired, recently released Topps Heritage card.

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Game 36 - Sanchez, Walker Shut Down Rays

Philadelphia Phillies	7
Tampa Bay Rays	0

2025 Topps
Philadelphia Phillies #PHI-17

Wednesday Night, May 7th

George M. Steinbrenner Field - Tampa, FL
21-15, 2nd Place, 2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Cristopher Sanchez and Taijuan Walker combined to shutout the Rays, holding their offense to two singles in this 7-0 win.

What It Means:  The Phillies go for the series sweep tonight behind Jesus Luzardo.

What Happened:  Sanchez (six innings) and Walker (three innings) each allowed a hit while striking out five and seven batters, respectively.  The Phillies scored the only run they needed when Trea Turner launched a solo home run in the third.  A five-run fourth inning put the game out of reach, highlighted by a suicide squeeze bunt from Johan Rojas to score J.T. Realmuto and a two-run double from Bryce Harper. 

Featured Card:  Sanchez pitched more innings, but Walker was a tad more dominant with his seven strikeout performance in just three innings of work.  He earned his first career save for his effort.  This is a preview of what his Topps flagship set card could look like once Series Two is released, from the retail team set.

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Game 35 - Trio of Homers Backs Wheeler's Gem in Tampa

Philadelphia Phillies	8
Tampa Bay Rays	4

2025 Topps Now Road to
Opening Day Gold #OD-187

Tuesday Night, May 6th

George M. Steinbrenner Field - Tampa, FL
20-15, 2nd Place, 2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler cruised to his third win of the season, backed by home runs from Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos.

What It Means:  The Phillies have won seven of their last nine games.

What Happened:  Wheeler likely could have pitched more than seven innings, but with a comfortable lead and following a lengthy top of the eighth, he exited the game having allowed a two-run home run to Yandy Diaz and striking out nine.  Schwarber hit a solo home run to center to lead off the second, and Bohm gave the Phillies a 3-0 lead a few batters later with his two-run home run, his first of the season.  Castellanos piled on with his three-run home run in the eighth.  The right fielder was 3 for 5 on the night with four RBIs.

Featured Card:  I ordered a Topps Now Road to Opening Day Phillies team set a few months ago, and it arrived over the weekend.  The serial-numbered parallel included in my set was this Wheeler card, a gold version numbered to 50.

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Philadelphia Phillies at Tampa Bay Rays - Outdoor Baseball in Tampa

2005 Topps #550

2005 Topps #561

Tuesday, May 6th - 7:05
Wednesday, May 7th - 7:05
Thursday, May 8th - 7:05

George M. Steinbrenner Field - Tampa, FL
With the extensive damage caused to Tropicana Field by Hurricane Milton, the Rays are playing their home games this season at the Yankees' spring training ballpark.

Philadelphia Phillies 19-15
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 3 games behind the Mets

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (2-1, 3.48)
Cristopher Sanchez (3-1, 3.45)
Jesus Luzardo (3-0, 1.94)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Trea Turner - .297
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 24
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 11
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 26
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 7

Wins:  Four tied with - 3
ERA:  Jesus Luzardo - 1.94
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 57
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 6

Tampa Bay Rays 16-18
Tied for 3rd Place in the A.L. East, 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees

Rays Probables
Drew Rasmussen (1-2, 2.64)
Shane Baz (3-1, 3.86)
Ryan Pepiot (2-4, 4.23)

Rays Leaders
Average:  Jonathan Aranda - .316
Runs:  Junior Caminero - 17
Home Runs:  Junior Caminero - 6
RBIs:  Jonathan Aranda and Brandon Lowe - 17
Stolen Bases:  Jose Caballero and Jake Mangum - 8

Wins:  Shane Baz and Taj Bradley - 3
ERA:  Shane Baz - 3.86

Strikeouts:  Shane Baz - 37
Saves:  Pete Fairbanks - 8

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Game 34 - Comeback(s) Fall Short in Series Finale

Arizona Diamondbacks	11
Philadelphia Phillies	9

10 Innings

2025 Choice Lehigh
Valley IronPigs #7

Sunday Afternoon, May 4th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
19-15, 2nd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies dropped a weird and wild game against the Diamondbacks as multiple comeback attempts fell short in this eventual 11-9 loss in 10 innings.

What It Means:  Following a day off on Monday, they'll open a six game road series in Tampa Bay and Cleveland.

What Happened:  Ranger Suarez made his season debut, and he looked great until the third inning.  Suarez departed with his team trailing 7-1, having allowed seven hits, two walks and striking out six.  The bullpen was fantastic, allowing the Phillies to creep back into this game, until Jose Alvarado uncharacteristically allowed four runs (three earned) in the ninth and 10th innings.

Bryce Harper hit a solo home run in the first, breaking a long home run drought.  Weston Wilson hit a three-run home run in the sixth to get the score to 7-5, Diamondbacks.  J.T. Realmuto's clutch RBI single in the seventh got the club to within a run.  Trailing 8-6 in the bottom of the ninth, Kyle Schwarber hit a solo home run and Alec Bohm tied the score with a single to center.  The Phillies ran out of magic there, ultimately losing this game, 11-9.

Featured Card:  Maybe it's my allergies or the dreary Monday morning, but I'm coming up empty here.  Here's a recently scanned card from the newly released IronPigs team set, featuring the club's current home run leader (with 10), Otto Kemp.  Kemp also leads Lehigh Valley with 35 RBIs while batting .344.

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Game 33 - Kepler, Realmuto Back Nola for His First Win of '25

Arizona Diamondbacks	2
Philadelphia Phillies	7

2025 Philadelphia Phillies
Kids Club / Club 215

Saturday Night, May 3rd

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
19-14, 2nd Place, 3 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola continued to shake off his early season cobwebs and won his first game backed by home runs from Max Kepler and J.T. Realmuto.

What It Means:  The Phillies have won six of their last seven games and go for the series sweep this afternoon as Ranger Suarez makes his season debut.

What Happened:  Nola scattered four hits and a walk over his six innings of work, striking out eight Diamondback batters.  The Phillies jumped on 2023 NLCS nemesis Brandon Pfaadt for seven runs (six earned), chasing the pitcher in the fifth inning.  Kepler hit a two-run home run in the second, a laser line drive to right.  J.T. Realmuto doubled, Alec Bohm singled and Brandon Marsh doubled home Realmuto to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead.  Realmuto added a three-run home run in the third as the rain intensified.

Featured Card:  This is Kepler's first, and to date only, Phillies baseball card.  18 cards were available to collect at the ballpark with a membership to the Phillies Kids Club or Club 215 through the first month of the season, and last night I was pleasantly surprised to see the addition of a Kepler card to raise the total cards in the set to 19.  Still no sign of a Jesus Luzardo card, which hopefully changes soon.

Field Report:  We attended this game with family and had a great night in spite of the steady rain throughout the middle of the game.  The Phanatic paid our section a visit in the sixth inning and we watched a few pitches together before he departed for the Phanatic Dance with a bunch of lucky kids.

Transaction:  Marsh (of) was activated from the injured list and Cal Stevenson (of) was sent back down to Lehigh Valley.  Suarez (lhp) was also activated with Jose Ruiz (rhp) going on the 15-day injured list with a neck spasm.

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Game 32 - Phils Tame Snakes in Series Opener

Arizona Diamondbacks	2
Philadelphia Phillies	3

2024 Topps Philadelphia Phillies #PHI-16

Friday Night, May 2nd

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
18-14, 2nd Place, 3 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Kyle Schwarber drove in a pair and Max Kepler broke a 2-2 tie with a solo home run in the seventh as the Phillies took the series opener from the Diamondbacks, 3-2.

What It Means:  They'll try to keep it rolling tonight with Aaron Nola on the mound.

What Happened:  Schwarber doubled home Trea Turner in the first, but the Diamondbacks tied it in the fourth on a Geraldo Perdomo RBI single.  Arizona took the lead in the sixth on an RBI single from Lourdes Gurriel Jr., chasing Jesus Luzardo from the game.  Luzardo got a no-decision, but had another strong outing, allowing two runs on nine hits while striking out six.  Scharwarber and Kepler hit their home runs in the seventh, tying the score and then putting the Phillies ahead.  Tanner Banks, Jordan Romano and Jose Alvarado were perfect in relief over the final three innings.

Johan Rojas made a great catch in center in the top of the ninth to help Alvarado lock down the save.

Featured Card:  Alvarado has justifiably gotten a lot of attention so far this season as he's been nearly unhittable.  He notched his sixth save while lowering his season ERA to 1.72.

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Game 31 - Phils Can't Complete Sweep Due to Costly Error

1980-87 SSPC HOF #33

1976 Shakey's Pizza Hall of Fame #86

2012 Panini Cooperstown #129

Washington Nationals	4
Philadelphia Phillies	2

Thursday Night, May 1st

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
17-14, 2nd Place, 3 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  A costly sixth inning error from Bryce Harper led to three unearned runs and an eventual 4-2 win by the Nationals.

What It Means:  The Diamondbacks come to town next for a weekend series.  Entering the series, both Phillies and Diamondbacks have an identical 17-14 record.

What Happened:  Taijuan Walker battled through 5 2/3 innings, making a few nice defensive plays, before the wheels came off in the sixth.  CJ Abrams doubled to start the inning, and James Wood lined a ball off Walker's leg with Walker recovering and throwing out Abrams at first.  Nathaniel Lowe singled to tie the game and Keibert Ruiz reached on an error by Bryce Harper, making it all the way to third and giving the Nationals a 2-1 lead.  Two more unearned runs would score in the inning.

The Phillies got RBI singles from Alec Bohm in the fifth and from Nick Castellanos in the sixth.

Featured Card:  The Phillies as a franchise played their first game on May 1, 1883, and the team made the interesting decision to "retire" three more player logos to be displayed among other retired numbers and insignias behind Ashburn Alley.  Uniform numbers weren't a thing until later in the franchise's history.  I've posted the link to the modest press release from the Phillies below, and the three Hall of Fame outfielders get the shared honor here of featured cards.

I have a few cards of each in my Phillies Collection, none of which are from their actual playing days.

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Game 30 - Phils Cruise to Win Over Nats

Washington Nationals	2
Philadelphia Phillies	7

2025 Philadelphia Phillies
Kids Club / Club 215

Wednesday Night, April 30th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
17-13, 2nd Place, 3 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Three first inning runs stood up for the Phillies and they steadily added on in this eventual 7-2 win over the Nationals.

What It Means:  The broadcast crew noted following this game the Phillies haven't had a lot of relaxing, enjoyable games so far this season, but this was one of them.

What Happened:  Cristopher Sanchez returned following his injury scare, pitching five innings and allowing a pair of runs on five hits while striking out six.  Kyle Schwarber gave the Phillies a quick 3-0 lead in the first with a three-run home run following a lead-off single from Bryson Stott and a Trea Turner walk.  Single runs were added in the fourth (Stott single), fifth (Nick Castellanos single), sixth (Max Kepler solo home run) and eighth (J.T. Realmuto solo home run).

Featured Card:  Schwarber's ninth home run of the season put him one behind the Diamondbacks' Eugeio Suarez for the league lead.  Here's his team-issue card available this season at the ballpark.

Transaction:  The Phillies acquired Daniel Robert (rhp) from the Texas Rangers for minor league prospect Enrique Segura (rhp).  Robert was out of options and he becomes another potential bullpen arm.  In four games last season with the Rangers, Robert was 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in 5 2/3 innings pitched.  His cardboard output has been limited so far to minor league team sets.  20-year-old Segura had been pitching for Clearwater.

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Arizona Diamondbacks at Philadelphia Phillies - Turning the Calendar to May

2005 Topps #71

2025 Chachi 2005 Topps Missing Links #7

Friday, May 2nd - 6:45
Saturday, May 3rd - 6:05
Sunday, May 4th - 2:05

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
On Saturday, all kids will receive an Aaron Nola replica jersey.  Sunday is Mother's Appreciation Day with all women receiving a Phillies ladies puffer vest.

Arizona Diamondbacks 17-14
4th Place in the N.L. West, 4 games behind the Dodgers

Diamondbacks Probables
Merrill Kelly (3-1, 4.41)
Brandon Pfaadt (5-1, 2.78)
Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3, 6.06)

Diamondbacks Leaders
Average:  Pavin Smith - .329
Runs:  Corbin Carroll - 25
Home Runs:  Eugenio Suarez - 10
RBIs:  Geraldo Perdomo - 25
Stolen Bases:  Geraldo Perdomo - 7

Wins:  Brandon Pfaadt - 5
ERA:  Brandon Pfaadt - 2.78

Strikeouts:  Zac Gallen - 43
Saves:  A.J. Puk - 4

Philadelphia Phillies 17-14
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 3 1/2 games behind the Mets

Phillies Probables
Jesus Luzardo (3-0, 1.73)
Aaron Nola (0-5, 5.40)
Ranger Suarez (0-0, 0.00)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Trea Turner - .298
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 21
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 9
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 23
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 7

Wins:  Three tied with - 3
ERA:  Jesus Luzardo - 1.73
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 57
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 5

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Game 29 - Phils Prevail in Ugly Walk-Off Win

Washington Nationals	6
Philadelphia Phillies	7

2025 Topps
Philadelphia Phillies #PHI-13

Tuesday Night, April 29th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
16-13, 2nd Place, 4 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Sloppy defense and Orion Kerkering allowed the Nationals to score four times to tie the score in the top of the ninth, only for the Phillies to win the game on a walk-off wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth.

What It Means:  According to boopstats on Bluesky, this was the ninth time since 1916 the Phillies have won a game on a walk-off wild pitch.  In recent history, Bryson Stott joins Mike Schmidt (1983), Rod Booker (1990) and Juan Bell (1993) in the Phillies' record books.

What Happened:  It should have never needed to happen.  Zack Wheeler was in control for 6 2/3 innings, departing the game with a 3-1 lead.  He had allowed a solo home run to Luis Garcia Jr. to lead off the sixth.  Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run home run in the first to give the Phillies the early lead.  Johan Rojas added another run in the third with a solo home run.

Speaking of Rojas, a few of his defensive miscues were responsible for this game going down to the wire.  After Jose Alvarado loaded the bases and then struck out the side in a tense eighth inning, Orion Kerkering took to the mound in the ninth with the Phillies holding a 4-2 lead.  Kerkering wasn't sharp, and  Rojas' misplay in center, an error from Trea Turner and a three-run home run by Nathaniel Lowe gave the Nationals a 6-5 lead.  In the bottom of the ninth, Alec Bohm singled, Bryson Stott walked, Bohm tagged up and went to third on a sac fly from Max Kepler and scored on a Rojas sac fly to tie the game.  Stott had tagged on the same play, and while he was taking his lead off third, reliever Kyle Finnegan uncorked a wild pitch, sending Stott home with the winning run.

Featured Card:  Tough decision here, but I'll go with Turner even though his defense necessitated the late inning heroics, but he also went 4 for 4 out of the lead-off spot with an RBI and two runs scored.

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Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies - Phils Home for 6

2005 Topps #449

2005 Topps #482

Tuesday, April 29th - 6:45
Wednesday, April 30th - 6:45
Thursday, May 1st - 6:45

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
It's another Hatfield Phillies Franks BOGO night on Tuesday and the annual Italian Family Celebration is Wednesday night.

Washington Nationals 13-16
Tied for 3rd Place in the N.L. East, 7 games behind the Mets

Nationals Probables
MacKenzie Gore (2-3, 3.34)
Jake Irvin (2-0, 3.19)
TBD

Nationals Leaders
Average:  Keibert Ruiz - .309
Runs:  James Wood - 18
Home Runs:  James Wood - 9
RBIs:  Nathaniel Lowe and James Wood - 20
Stolen Bases:  Dylan Crews - 6

Wins:  Jorge Lopez and Mitchell Parker - 3
ERA:  Mitchell Parker - 2.65

Strikeouts:  MacKenzie Gore - 53
Saves:  Kyle Finnegan - 9

Philadelphia Phillies 15-13
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 4 1/2 games behind the Mets

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (2-1, 3.62)
TBD
Taijuan Walker (1-2, 2.78)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryson Stott - .292
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 19
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 7
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 18
Stolen Bases:  Bryce Harper and Trea Turner - 6

Wins:  Jose Alvarado and Jesus Luzardo - 3
ERA:  Jesus Luzardo - 1.73
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 50
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 5

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Game 28 - Nola Returns to Form Against Cubs

Philadelphia Phillies	3
Chicago Cubs	1

10 Innings

2025 Topps Heritage #186

Sunday Night, April 27th

Wrigley Field - Chicago, IL
15-13, 2nd Place, 4 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola was finally Nola-esque and the Phillies prevailed in 10 innings to take the three-game series with the Cubs.

What It Means:  Following an off-day on Monday, the Phillies return home for six games against the Nationals and Diamondbacks.

What Happened:  He didn't get the win, but Nola provided a lot of relief to Phillies fans on Sunday night, allowing a run on three hits and a walk while striking out six over seven solid innings.  Nola didn't give up any home runs.  The bullpen trio of Orion Kerkering, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Romano (!) was able to keep the Cubs from scoring in the final three innings of the game.

In the third, the Phillies tied the game at 1-1 when Bryson Stott tripled and scored on Trea Turner's RBI-single to left.  The game remained knotted until the 10th inning.  With Nick Castellanos starting the inning at second base, J.T. Realmuto and Max Kepler both walked to load the bases.  Alec Bohm then hit a sacrifice fly to give the Phillies a 2-1 lead.  Later in the inning, Turner provided an insurance run with an RBI-single to score Kepler.  Romano needed 13 pitches, 10 of which were strikes, to retire the Cubs in the bottom of the 10th.

Featured Card:  Nola's 2024 Topps Heritage card was recently released in the High Numbers series, and a few weeks later we already have his 2025 Topps Heritage card.  This year's Heritage set pays tribute to the 1976 Topps set, and I couldn't resist opening a hobby box recently with my oldest son, Doug.  This fairly unflattering Nola card was one of several Phillies in the box.

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Game 27 - Six-Run Fourth Inning Propels Phils to Victory

Philadelphia Phillies	10
Chicago Cubs	4

2016 Topps #475

Saturday Afternoon, April 26th

Wrigley Field - Chicago, IL
14-13, 2nd Place, 5 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Jesus Luzardo continued to impress and Max Kepler had his biggest game yet with his new club, as the Phillies downed the Cubs, 10-4.

What It Means:  The win split the series and ended the five-game losing streak.  Hopefully a lengthy winning streak is coming next.

What Happened:  Luzardo improved to 3-0, allowing three hits and two unearned runs in six innings of work, while striking out five.  A costly error by Trea Turner led to the unearned runs in the fifth.  This was the sequence in the big fourth inning - Kyle Schwarber was hit by a pitch, Nick Castellanos singled, J.T. Realmuto singled, Kepler singled, scoring Schwarber.  Alec Bohm singled, scoring Castellanos, and Johan Rojas hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Realmuto.  Bryson Stott singled, scoring Kepler and Bryce Harper capped the inning with a two-run double.  That chased Cubs' pitcher Ben Brown, a former Phillies' farmhand.

Three more runs scored in the sixth on an RBI-single from Turner and a two-run double from Schwarber.  Kepler ended his big day with a solo home run, his second of the season, in the seventh.

Featured Card:  Collectors are still waiting for Kepler's first Phillies card.  Here's his rookie card from the smokey 2016 Topps set.

Transaction:  Phillies Room Favorite Kody Clemens has joined Kepler's former team.  Clemens (inf) was traded to the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations, given the popular back-up was out of minor league options.  In parts of three seasons with the Phillies, Clemens batted .220 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs.  He appeared in 97 games, playing every position except catcher and center field.

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Game 26 - Losing Streak Reaches Four as Bats Snooze

Philadelphia Phillies	0
Chicago Cubs	4

2016 Topps Bunt #91

Friday Afternoon, April 25th

Wrigley Field - Chicago, IL
13-13, 2nd Place, 5 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  As the offense continued to look for timely hits, Colin Rea and four Cubs' relievers combined to shutout the Phillies in this 4-0 loss.

What It Means:  The Phillies are a miserable lot right now, having lost four in a row and getting tagged with their third shutout already this season.  Since taking two out of three from the powerhouse Dodgers at the start of the season, they are 6-11.

What Happened:  The game was delayed over two hours at the outset due to rain and the gametime temperature was 45 degrees.  Taijuan Walker threw 86 pitches in just three innings, allowing a pair of runs on six hits.  Relievers Tanner Banks and Carlos Hernandez gave up two more runs.  The Phillies showed some life in the seventh after J.T. Realmuto singled and Alec Bohm walked to start the inning.  Cal Stevenson struck out, Bryson Stott popped out and Trea Turner grounded out in quick succession to end the threat.

Featured Card:  Former Cub Kyle Schwarber is batting .111 (2 for 18) with eight strikeouts in his last five games.  Stott, Turner, Bryce Harper and Schwarber were a combined 1 for 15 in this game.

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