Game 153 - Snell Snoozes Phils' Bats

Philadelphia Phillies	0
Los Angeles Dodgers	5

2013 Topps Archives 1969 Topps
4-in-1 Stickers #69S-SKCK

Late Wednesday Night, September 17th

Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles, CA
91-62, 1st Place, 12 1/2 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Blake Snell threw seven shutout innings, striking out 12, in this 5-0 win over the Phillies.

What It Means:  The hangover had to come sooner or later, and it apparently waited to arrive for the last game of this series.

What Happened:  If I had to completely miss one game of this Dodgers series, I'm glad I missed this one.  The Phillies' offense had just three singles in the game, with only two allowed by Snell and the other coming off reliever Tanner Scott in the ninth inning.  Jesus Luzardo took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits over seven innings of work.  He exited in the eighth inning after Shohei Ohtani hit his 51st home run of the season.

Featured Card:  Clayton Kershaw announced his retirement from baseball the day after this game, as the legendary left-hander decided this would be his last season.  That made me check to see how many Kershaw cards I have in my Phillies Collection, and I was surprised to learn I had nine of his cards in my collection, all of them showing him paired with a Phillies pitcher.  This is the best one I have, in my opinion, showing a quartet of some of the all-time greatest left-handed pitchers in the history of the game.

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Game 53 - Nine Game Winning Streak Comes to an End

Philadelphia Phillies	4
Athletics	5

2013 Panini
Hometown Heroes #207

Sunday Afternoon, May 25th

Sutter Health Park - West Sacramento, CA
34-19, 1st Place, 2 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Matt Strahm couldn't hold a narrow one-run lead, allowing the Athletics to score twice in the eighth, eventually winning the game, 5-4.

What It Means:  The modest nine-game winning streak came to an end.  After an off day on Memorial Day, the Phillies open a six-game homestead on Tuesday against the Braves and Brewers.

What Happened:  Jesus Luzardo's day started off shaky, as the starter allowed three first inning runs, but he'd settle in after the first to shut down the Athletics over the next six innings.  He struck out 10 in his outing.  Trea Turner singled to center in the third to score Brandon Marsh and cut the score to 3-2.  Turner tied the score in the fifth with a sacrifice fly.  And Turner briefly gave the Phillies the lead int he eighth with a solo home run.  With one out in the bottom of the eighth and Strahm on the mound, Logan Davidson walked and Lawrence Butler tripled him home.  Willie MacIver singled home Butler to give the Athletics the lead and hand Strahm his second blown save of the season.

Featured Card:  The loss gives me a chance to feature one of the all-time great Phillies born in Sacramento, Larry Bowa.  Other former Phillies born in Sacramento include John Vukovich, Rhys Hoskins, Dick Ruthven, Lowell Palmer, Brad Lidge, Randy Lerch and Brock Stassi.

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Game 124 - Bullpen Falters as Nats Avoid Sweep

2013 Finest 1993 Finest #93F-CR

Nationals 6, Phillies 4
Game 124 - Sunday Afternoon, August 18th in Philadelphia
Record - 73-51, 1st Place, 7 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Two late runs were the difference in this game, as the Nationals scored off All-Star relievers Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman to steal a 6-4 win over the Phillies.

What It Means:  The Phillies won three out of the four games with the Nationals, and they're off to Atlanta to face off against the second place Braves with a crucial series beginning Tuesday night.

What Happened:  Taijuan Walker started for the Phillies, and departed after 4 2/3 innings with the Nationals leading, 3-2.  Tanner Banks gave up another run in the top of the sixth, but the Phillies battled back to tie the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth on back-to-back home runs from Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh.  The usually reliable Strahm and Hoffman gave up runs to the Nationals in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively.  In the bottom of the ninth, with J.T. Realmuto and Bryce Harper available off the bench, Edmundo Sosa singled to start the inning but then Cal Stevenson grounded into a rally-killing double play.

Featured Card:  The Phillies hosted another fantastic pre-game ceremony before this game, this time recognizing alumni, Wall of Famers and key moments from the first 20 years of Citizens Bank Park.  There were memorable moments from the first few years (2004-07), the dynasty years (2008-11) and recent years (2019-23), with almost no reference of the dark times (2012-18), other than Rhys Hoskins' home run tear in 2017 as a rookie.  I'll go with a card for Carlos Ruiz here, as he served as a stand-in during the ceremony for the late, great Roy Halladay.

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Game 110 - Phils Find New Ways to Lose Nightly

2013 Topps Heritage #186

Mariners 6, Phillies 5 (10 Innings)
Game 110 - Late Saturday Night, August 3rd in Seattle
Record - 65-45, 1st Place, 5 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies' bullpen blew a five-run lead and the Mariners secured a walk-off win with a bases loaded, 10th inning walk in this 6-5 loss.

What It Means:  Another devastating loss, and the losing streak has reached six games.  The Phillies, still 20 games over .500 and with a five-game lead in the division, are going through a historically bad stretch.

What Happened:  Opener Orion Kerkering (one inning) and Kolby Allard (four innings), pitched well and the Phillies led 5-0 heading to the bottom of the fifth.  Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh both had two-run singles to give the Phillies what seemed to be a comfortable lead.  Allard gave up a solo home run to Mitch Haniger in the fifth, and All-Star Jeff Hoffman surrendered four runs in the sixth.  It was by far the worst performance of Hoffman's season.

The Phillies had chances to take the lead, but instead the game headed to extras.  Carlos Estevez, who had pitched an uneventful ninth, intentionally walked the lead-off batter in the 10th, putting runners at first and second.  After recording two outs, he hit Dylan Moore to load the bases and walked Haniger, scoring the winning run.  Replays show Haniger should have been called out on strikes to end the inning prior to his walk, but the Phillies aren't getting any breaks these days.

Featured Card:  Maybe this card of Phillies legend Casper Wells will bring us some luck.

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Spring Training Game 15 - Phils Top Yankees in Tampa

2013 Topps #249

Phillies 6, Yankees 3
Spring Training Game 15 - Saturday Afternoon, March 11th in Tampa
Record - 7-7-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies played small ball to win this game against the Yankees, 6-3, while some of the team's stars were kicking off the World Baseball Classic Tournament.

What It Means:  After downplaying my excitement about the World Baseball Classic earlier in the week, I'll admit I've found myself tuning in to some of the games.  If nothing else, it's cool to hear some of the players' stories or to play "remember some guys" with former Phillies who are showing up in tournament games.

What Happened:  Michael Plassmeyer is still in the mix for the team's fifth starter role, and while he wriggled out of trouble in his 1+ inning of work, it wasn't pretty.  He allowed four walks and two hits without giving up a run.  The Phillies offense received RBI singles from Jim Haley, Edmundo Sosa and Jack Conley.  Scott Kingery had two more hits and his average is now a gaudy .476.

Featured Card:  In Phoenix, Team USA took on Team Great Britain beginning at 9pm with former Phillies pitcher Vance Worley on the mound for Great Britain.  Worley was the eventual losing pitcher, but  both runs he allowed were unearned as a result of a pair of errors, one from former Phillie infielder Darnell Sweeney.  Kyle Schwarber hit a three-run home run for Team USA in the win.

Camp Head Count:  65

The Phillies still haven't made any roster moves to trim their roster, which is a little odd two weeks into exhibition games.

Game 46 - Phils Make Losing a Bad Habit

2013 Topps #361

Mets 8, Phillies 6
Game 46 - Friday Night, May 27th in Flushing
Record - 21-25, 3rd Place, 8 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Sloppy play and a struggling bullpen contributed to this 8-6 series opening loss to the Mets.

What It Means:  I feel as if I'm admittedly phoning it in with these game summary posts.  Watching the Phillies isn't fun right now, and then summarizing the latest loss the morning after isn't fun either. 

What Happened:  The Phillies were down 7-0 early with spot starter Bailey Falter giving up five runs (only two earned) in his three innings of work and Nick Nelson allowing three more Mets runs to score in his two innings of relief.  Bryson Stott's throwing error to open the bottom of the first led to three unearned runs.  The offense battled back with a six-spot in the sixth, capped by a three-run home run from Garrett Stubbs, but it wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit.

Featured Card:  The game was mostly unenjoyable, but I found myself laughing at times at the color commentary provided by former catcher Erik Kratz in his regular season debut in the Phillies radio booth. The Phillies are going with a rotating cast of four former players to complement play-by-play radio voice Scott Franzke on the days Larry Andersen isn't working.  Along with Kratz, Chad Durbin, Kevin Stocker and Michael Bourn have all spent time calling games with Franzke.

Transaction:  Falter (lhp) was recalled from Lehigh Valley to give the other five starters an extra day of rest and somewhat surprisingly, veteran reliever Jose Alvarado (lhp) was optioned down.  Alvarado has a 7.62 ERA over 17 appearances, with ten walks in 13 innings of work.

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2022 Chachi #15 Kyle Gibson

#44
Kyle Benjamin Gibson
Starting Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'6"  Weight:  215
Opening Day Age:  34
Born:  October 23, 1987, Greenfield, IN
How Obtained:  Acquired from the Texas Rangers with Hans Crouse and Ian Kennedy for Josh Gessner, Kevin Gowdy and Spencer Howard, July 30, 2021
Contract Status:  Signed through 2022
Major League Teams:  Minnesota Twins 2013-2019; Texas Rangers 2020-2021; Philadelphia Phillies 2021-

First Phillies Card:  2022 Topps #57
Newest Card Added:  2022 Topps Phillies #PHI-9
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (8):  2013, 2015-2016, 2018-2022

4 - Gibson baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 5/1/22.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2021 Chachi #59
2022 Chachi #15

2013 Topps Update #US154

2015 Topps #632

2019 Topps #597

2020 Topps Update #US-26

2022 Topps #57

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2022 Chachi #14 Simon Muzziotti / 2022 Chachi #16 Zach Eflin

2022 Chachi #26 Jeurys Familia

#31
Jeurys Familia
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  240
Opening Day Age:  32
Born:  October 10, 1989, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
How Obtained:  Signed as a free agent formerly with the New York Mets, March 15, 2022
Contract Status:  Signed through 2022
Major League Teams:  New York  Mets 2012-2018; Oakland Athletics 2018; New York Mets 2019-2021; Philadelphia Phillies 2022

First Phillies Card:  N/A
Newest Card Added:  N/A
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (7):  2013-2019

0 - Familia baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 4/26/22.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2022 Chachi New Additions #10
2022 Chachi #26

2013 Topps #271

2015 Topps #402

2016 Topps #190

2018 Topps #689

2019 Topps #589

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2022 Chachi #25 Seranthony Dominguez / 2022 Chachi #27 Brad Hand

2022 Chachi #6 Didi Gregorius

#18
Mariekson Julius Gregorius
Shortstop

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  205
Opening Day Age:  31
Born:  February 18, 1990, Amsterdam, Netherlands
How Obtained:  Signed as a free agent, December 13, 2019
Contract Status:  Signed through 2022
Major League Teams:  Cincinnati Reds 2012; Arizona Diamondbacks 2013-2014; New York Yankees 2015-2019; Philadelphia Phillies 2020-

First Phillies Card:  2019 Topps Now Offseason #OS-50
Newest Card Added:  2022 Topps Phillies #PHI-11
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (10):  2013-2022

29 - Gregorius baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 4/23/22.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2020 Chachi New Additions #8
2020 Chachi Preseason Photo Cards #18
2020 Chachi #5
2021 Chachi #6
2022 Chachi #6

2013 Topps #296

2015 Topps #172

2018 Topps #576

2020 Topps #519

2022 Topps #44

2022 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2022 Season Summary Index / 2022 Chachi Set Checklist

2022 Chachi #5 Rhys Hoskins / 2022 Chachi #7 Jean Segura

2022 Chachi #7 Jean Segura

#2
Jean Carlos Enrique Segura
Second Base

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'10"  Weight:  220
Opening Day Age:  32
Born:  March 17, 1990, San Juan, DR
How Obtained:  Acquired with Juan Nicasio and James Pazos from the Seattle Mariners for J.P. Crawford and Carlos Santana, December 3, 2018
Contract Status:  Signed through 2022 with a club option for 2023
Major League Teams:  Los Angeles Angels 2012; Milwaukee Brewers 2012-2015; Arizona Diamondbacks 2016; Seattle Mariners 2017-2018; Philadelphia Phillies 2019-

First Phillies Card:  2018 Topps Now Offseason #OS55
Newest Card Added:  2022 Topps Opening Day #45
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (10):  2013-2022

43 - Segura baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 4/15/22.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2019 Chachi New Additions #1
2019 Chachi #2
2019 Chachi #50 - 9th Inning Homers HL
2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #22
2020 Chachi #6
2021 Chachi #7
2022 Chachi #7

2013 Topps #387

2016 Topps #409

2020 Topps #219

2021 Topps #109

2022 Topps #178

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2022 Chachi #6 Didi Gregorius / 2022 Chachi #8 Bryson Stott

Game 6 - Phils Can't Find Rhythm in Latest Loss

2016 Grandstand Reading
Fightin Phils #27

Mets 9, Phillies 6
Game 6 - Wednesday Afternoon, April 13th in Philadelphia
Record - 3-3, 2nd Place, 1 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies fell behind early and couldn't complete the comeback against the Mets, losing this game, 9-6.

What It Means:  After losing the series to the Mets, the team flew to Miami where they'll open a four-game series against the Marlins on Thursday night.

What Happened:  The Phillies loaded the bases with one out in the first inning against a wild Max Scherzer, but couldn't bring a run home.  They'd chip away at the Mets lead throughout the game, with Nick Castellanos, Johan Camargo and Bryson Stott all tallying multi-hit days.  Stott had a pair of RBIs and Castellanos had two doubles.  Bryce Harper hit a solo home run in the ninth, his first of the season.

Aaron Nola's struggles continued as he lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up three runs on three hits.  He also hit two Mets batters before exiting the game.  Relievers Damon Jones and Connor Brogdon combined to allow four more runs in 1 1/3 innings of work.

Jean Segura departed the game in the sixth after being hit by a pitch.

Featured Card:  Former Phillies pitcher Joely Rodriguez worked a pair of games in this series, pitching an inning and allowing four runs on two hits, including a key home run by J.T. Realmuto in the series opener.  Rodriguez was acquired by the Phillies in December 2014 from the Pirates for Antonio Bastardo.  He appeared in 38 games with the club in 2016 and 2017, going 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA, and his one and only Phillies baseball card can be found in the 2017 team-issued photo card set..  Rodriguez had a solid 2021 season, appearing in 52 games for the Rangers and Yankees.  

2022 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2022 Season Summary Index / 2022 Chachi Set Checklist

2022 Chachi #18 Zack Wheeler

#45
Zachary Harrison Wheeler
Starting Pitcher

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  195
Opening Day Age:  31
Born:  May 30, 1990, Smyrna, GA
How Obtained:  Signed by the Phillies as a free agent, December 9, 2019
Contract Status:  Signed through 2024
Major League Teams:  New York Mets 2013-2014, 2017-2019; Philadelphia Phillies 2020-

First Phillies Card:  2019 Topps Now Offseason #OS-48
Newest Card Added:  2022 Topps Opening Day #61
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (10):  2013-2022

32 - Wheeler baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 4/10/22.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2020 Chachi New Additions #7
2020 Chachi Photo Cards #45
2020 Chachi #16
2021 Chachi Preview #6
2021 Chachi #15
2021 Chachi #58 - All-Star
2022 Chachi #18

2013 Topps Update #US50

2018 Topps #228

2020 Topps Update #US-45

2021 Topps Update #US150

2022 Topps #249

2022 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2022 Season Summary Index / 2022 Chachi Set Checklist

2022 Chachi #17 Ranger Suarez / 2022 Chachi #19 Bailey Falter

2013 Topps Phillies Team Set

#264 Roy Halladay RC

#646 Phillippe Aumont

#625 Domonic Brown

#197 Tyler Cloyd

#152 Jose Contreras

#410 Roy Halladay

#332 Cole Hamels

#6 Ryan Howard

#71 Kyle Kendrick

#361 Erik Kratz

#33 Cliff Lee

#424 Steven Lerud

#472 John Mayberry

#514 Jonathan Papelbon

#637 Ben Revere

#206 Jimmy Rollins

#83 Darin Ruf

#367 Carlos Ruiz

#26 Chase Utley

#249 Vance Worley

Update

#US309 Domonic Brown AS

#US188 Cliff Lee AS

#US30 Mike Adams

#US71 Cody Asche

#US58 Kevin Frandsen

#US280 John Lannan

#US156 Laynce Nix

#US281 Johnathan Pettibone

#US242 Delmon Young

#US90 Michael Young

2012 Topps Phillies Team Set / 2014 Topps Phillies Team Set