Saturday, July 4, 2026

Game 87 - Phils Survive Heat, Scorch Skenes

Pittsburgh Pirates  6 
Philadelphia Phillies  10 

2026 Philadelphia Phillies
Kids Club / Club 215
Wednesday Night, July 1st
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
49-38, 2nd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies got to Pirates' ace Paul Skenes for eight runs in the scorching heat, hanging on to win this game, 10-6.

What It Means:  It was 96 degrees for the first pitch at 6:41, as the region suffers through a grueling holiday weekend heat wave.

What Happened:  The Phillies offense made it look easy against Skenes, collecting eight runs (seven earned) on six hits, including a three-run home run from Trea Turner in the second and a solo home run from Brandon Marsh in the third.  Zack Wheeler labored through 4 2/3 innings but struck out 10.  He was pulled after 104 pitches, and voiced his displeasure at getting the hook by interim manager Don Mattingly following the game.  A two-run home run from Alec Bohm in the bottom of the eighth made it a non-save situation, but Jhoan Duran still entered and pitched a perfect ninth to secure the win.

Featured Card:  Hopefully Turner is getting hot.  He's batting .322 with three doubles and three home runs over the past two weeks, raising his season average to a more respectable .239.
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Friday, July 3, 2026

Game 86 - Crawford, Turner Support Sanchez's Latest Gem

Pittsburgh Pirates  0 
Philadelphia Phillies  8 

2026 Philadelphia Phillies
Kids Club / Club 215
Tuesday Night, June 30th
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
48-38, 2nd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Cristopher Sanchez did his thing again and Justin Crawford went 3 for 3 with three RBIs in this 8-0 drubbing of the Bucs.

What It Means:  Given the Phillies were 9-19 on April 26th, 9 1/2 games behind the Braves, it's amazing to see them now just 2 1/2 games behind the Braves for the top spot in the division.  The team has gone on a scorching 39-19 run under interim manager Don Mattingly up to this game.

What Happened:  Sanchez improved to 10-3, allowing three hits and striking out nine in his seven inning outing.  His ERA went down to an even 2.00.  The unlikely duo of Jonathan Bowlan and Lee Trivino completed the combined shutout.  The Phillies held a slim 2-0 lead throughout most of this game, following a two-run single by Crawford in the second inning.  They'd score three more in the seventh, and three more in the eighth, highlighted by a two-run home run from Trea Turner.

Featured Card:  Crawford has played steady defense and after a slow start, his average has crept up to .256 following this game.  Here's his Kids Club / Club 215 card still available at the ballpark.

Transaction:  Chase Shugart (rhp) was optioned to Lehigh Valley and replaced in the bullpen by Trivino (rhp).

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Game 85 - The Nola Problem Intensifies

Pittsburgh Pirates  11 
Philadelphia Phillies  7 

2026 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs Bonus Pack
Monday Night, June 29th
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
47-38, 2nd Place, 3 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola once again suffered one horrific inning, and Chase Shugart allowed three runs in as many days in this 11-7 defeat by the Pirates.

What It Means:  These game summary posts used to be a daily exercise for me, but a busy schedule throughout the week has turned the fun pastime into more of a weekend catch-up activity.  I'm fine having a busy schedule, but I'm also looking forward to things easing up a little.

What Happened:  Nola was charged with eight runs (seven earned) in 4 1/3 innings, seeing his ERA creep over six to 6.04.  His place in the rotation is shaky at best, but the Phillies really don't have many other options right now other than to hope he figures something out.  Seth Johnson and Tim Mayza restored some order, pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings and allowing the offense to creep back to within two runs when Brandon Marsh hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth, giving the Pirates an 8-6 lead.  But Shugart allowed three more runs to score in the top of the ninth, putting the game out of reach.  Trea Turner and Marsh both homered in the first and Bryce Harper added a two-run home run in the third, spotting Nola a short-lived 5-0 lead.

Featured Card:  Nola needs to stick around, but the Phillies sent Shugart back to the IronPigs following this game.  Shugart has a card in the team-issued photo card set, and can be found in the IronPigs team set too.
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Game 84 - Schwarber Launches 30th Homer in Win Over Mets

Philadelphia Phillies  5 
New York Mets  4 

2026 Topps Now #390
Sunday Afternoon, June 28th
Citi Field - Flushing, NY
47-37, 2nd Place, 3 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Kyle Schwarber hit his 30th home run of the season, supporting Jesus Luzardo's outing and leading to the series win over the Mets.

What It Means:  Schwarber became the fastest Phillie to reach 30 home runs, doing it in 84 games.  Mike Schmidt held the prior record, hitting his 30th home run in the Phillies' 87th game during the 1979 season.

What Happened:  The Phillies took a 3-0 lead in the third on a sacrifice fly from Bryce Harper, an RBI-double from Alec Bohm and an RBI-single from Brandon Marsh.  Luzardo gave up a run in the fifth before yielding to the bullpen, and the Mets took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the sixth following a rough outing from Chase Shugart.  Schwarber's blast in the top of the seventh came with Justin Crawford aboard and gave the Phillies a 5-4 lead.  Jose Alvarado, Orion Kerkering and Jhoan Duran shut down the Mets over the final three innings, with Duran earning his 21st save.

Featured Card:  Schwarber received a Topps Now card for his milestone blast.
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