Game 103 - Phils Look Un-Lively; Acquire Hays for Dominguez, Pache

2018 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #15

Guardians 3, Phillies 1
Game 103 - Friday Night, July 26th in Philadelphia
Record - 64-39, 1st Place, 9 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Ben Lively and the Guardians' bullpen silenced the Phillies' bats in this 3-1 series opening loss.

What It Means:  The Phillies are suddenly not fun to watch.  They look as if they're pressing and I'm hoping they find their groove again soon.  The surging Mets are now in second place, a half game ahead of the Braves.

What Happened:  Lively improved to 9-6 with six strong innings, allowing just a fifth inning solo home run to Bryson Stott.  Stott had a three-hit night and Alec Bohm had a double, with the two through seven spots in the line-up going a combined 1 for 24.  Cristopher Sanchez dropped to 7-6, allowing all three Guardians runs on eight hits.

Featured Card:   Lively was designated for assignment in September 2018 by the Phillies and claimed off waivers by the Royals, when a roster spot was needed for Jerad Eickhoff.  He's since spent time with the Royals, in Korea and with the Reds, and he's been pitching well for Cleveland this season.

Transaction:  On Friday afternoon, the Phillies announced the first of possibly many trades in advance of Tuesday's trade deadline.  Austin Hays (of) was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles for Seranthony Dominguez (rhp) and Cristian Pache (of).  Hays is expected to see quite a bit of playing time in left field, with a likely platoon in center developing with Johan Rojas and Brandon Marsh.  Hays was an All-Star in 2023, and he's batting .255 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 63 games this season.

Dominguez, the team's closer at one point, appeared in at least 50 games for the Phillies in 2018, 2022 and 2023.  In 230 games, he was 19-17 with a 3.55 ERA and 28 saves, with 16 blown saves.  Dominguez was a huge part of the Phillies' pennant-winning bullpen in 2022, and was the winning pitcher in NLDS Game 1 against the Braves and in World Series Game 1 agains the Astros.  I currently have 22 baseball cards for Dominguez in my Phillies Collection, dating back to his first appearance in 2016 in the Williamsport Crosscutters team set.  (It seems as if that number should be higher, but such is the fate of a reliever in today's baseball card sets.)

Pache had a few big highlights with the Phillies, but had largely struggled at the plate since joining the team right before opening day in 2023.  In 98 games with the Phillies overall, he batted .218 with a pair of home runs and 20 RBIs.  I've got six Pache cards in my Phillies Collection.

2024 Topps Heritage #13

2024 Philadelphia Phillies Kids Club

2023 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary #385

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 113 - deGrom Wins Duel Against Nola

2017 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #7

Mets 1, Phillies 0
Game 113 - Saturday Night, August 13th in Flushing
Record - 63-50, 3rd Place, 10 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  It was a showdown between Aaron Nola and Jacob deGrom, with deGrom and the Mets coming out on top, 1-0.

What It Means:  Great game, lousy outcome.  But the Phillies hung in there against one of the best in the game, and actually had a chance in the ninth to come back.

What Happened:  Nola went the whole eight innings, allowing a run on four hits while striking out eight.  The Mets run scored in the first when Pete Alonso singled home Starling Marte.  deGrom went six innings, allowing two singles and striking out 10.  Mets closer Edwin Diaz walked Rhys Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto in the top of the ninth, but Nick Castellanos struck out to end the ballgame.

Featured Card:  As mentioned at the end of the TV broadcast, the last Phillies pitcher to throw an eight inning complete game and lose was Ben Lively, who did it on September 10, 2017 against the Nationals.  Ryan Madson recorded the save in that game for the Nationals.

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

2019 Chachi #10 Andrew Knapp

#15
Andrew Michael Knapp
Catcher

Bats:  Switch  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  204
Opening Day Age:  27
Born:  November 9, 1991, Roseville, CA
Drafted:  Selected by the Phillies in the 2nd round of the June 2013 draft
Teams:  Phillies 2017-
Acquired:  Via draft
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible in 2020, free agency eligible in 2023

2013 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #11

2013 Bowman Draft Prospects #BDPP17

2017 Chachi #10

2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #12

2017 Topps Update #US160

First Phillies Minor League Card:  2013 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #11
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2017 Topps Update #US160
First Phillies Card:  2013 Bowman Draft Prospects #BDPP17
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #64
Newest Card Added:  2019 Phillies Team Issue #15

2017 Phillies Team Issue #64

24 - Knapp baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 4/15/19.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi #10
2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #12
2017 Chachi In Action #5
2017 Chachi Archives #13
2017 Chachi Photo Night #28 (with Clay Buchholz and Cameron Rupp)
2018 Chachi #8
2019 Chachi #10

2019 Chachi Set Checklist
Virtual Phillies Wall - Featuring Current Active Roster

Final Look at 2017-2018 Phillies Player Moves

2019 Chachi Preview #2

2019 Chachi Preview #3

2019 Chachi Preview #4

2019 Chachi Preview #5

As the season continues for 9 teams (sorry Cubs fans), I wanted to take one last look back at the transactions that shaped the 2018 Phillies.  This is a listing of every player who joined or left the organization between the final pitch of the 2017 season and the final pitch of the 2018 season.  I'm not showing minor league moves here, only players who spent time with the Phillies in 2017 or 2018.  It's an interesting list, but I sincerely hope this coming offseason's list is more impressive.

Moving On - 2017-2018 Offseason

• Henderson Alvarez - rhp (10/4/17) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed with Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League, 3/16/18.
• Ty Kelly - 2b-of (10/4/17) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the New York Mets, 1/22/18.
• Kevin Siegrist - lhp (10/4/17) - Outrighted off 40-man roster, elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates, 2/24/18.
• Andres Blanco - inf (11/2/17) - Elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent with the San Francisco Giants, 1/30/18.
• Clay Buchholz - rhp (11/2/17) - Elected free agency and signed as a minor league free agent
  with the Kansas City Royals, 3/20/18.
• Hyun Soo Kim - of (11/2/17) - Elected free agency, signed with the LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization, 12/18/17.
• Daniel Nava - of (11/2/17) - Elected free agency, signed as a minor league free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates, 2/6/18.
• Jesen Therrien - rhp (11/6/17) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency, signed as a minor league free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers, 11/29/17.
• Michael Mariot - rhp (11/6/17) - Elected free agency, signed as a minor league free agent with the San Diego Padres, 11/29/17.
• Colton Murray - rhp (11/6/17) - Elected free agency, signed as a minor league free agent with the Tampa Bay Rays, 12/14/17.
• Brock Stassi - 1b (11/6/17) - Elected free agency, signed as a minor league free agent with the Minnesota Twins, 12/7/17.
• Cameron Perkins - of (12/11/17) - Claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.
• Freddy Galvis - ss (12/15/17) - Traded to the San Diego Padres for Enyel De Los Santos.
• Tommy Joseph - 1b (3/19/18) - Claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers.
• Cameron Rupp - c (3/26/18) - Released and signed as a minor league free agent with the Texas Rangers, 4/3/18.
• Ricardo Pinto - rhp (3/27/18) - Traded to the Chicago White Sox for future considerations.

Coming Back - 2017-2018 Offseason

• Pedro Florimon - inf-of (11/13/17) - Signed to a minor league contract.

New Additions - 2017-2018 Offseason

• Pat Neshek - rhp (12/15/17) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Colorado Rockies.
• Tommy Hunter - rhp (12/15/17) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Enyel De Los Santos - rhp (12/15/17) - Acquired from the San Diego Padres for Freddy Galvis.
• Carlos Santana - 1b (12/20/17) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Cleveland Indians.
• Drew Hutchison - rhp (2/15/18) - Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
• Jake Arrieta - rhp (3/12/18) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Chicago Cubs.

Arrived During the 2018 Season

• Trevor Plouffe (4/23/18) - Signed as a minor league free agent, formerly with the Texas Rangers organization.
• Asdrubal Cabrera (7/27/18) - Acquired from the New York Mets for Franklyn Kilome.
• Wilson Ramos (7/31/18) - Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named later or cash.
• Aaron Loup (7/31/18) - Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for Jacob Waguespack.
• Justin Bour (8/10/18) - Acquired with cash from the Miami Marlins for McKenzie Mills.
• Luis Avilan (8/22/18) - Acquired from the Chicago White Sox for Felix Paulino.
• Jose Bautista (8/28/18) - Acquired from the New York Mets for a player to be named later or cash.

Departed During the 2018 Season

• Drew Hutchison (6/5/18) - Designated for assignment and elected free agency.
• Hoby Milner (7/15/18) - Sold to the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Zac Curtis (7/31/18) - Designated for assingnment and claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers, 8/7/18.
• Jake Thompson (8/14/18) - Traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations.
• Mark Leiter, Jr. (9/1/18) - Claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.
• Ben Lively (9/5/18) - Claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals.

Game 139 - 2018 Phillies Team Issue 2 #19 Ben Lively

Marlins 2, Phillies 1
Game 139 - Wednesday Night, September 5th in Miami
Record - 73-66, 2nd place, 3 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  In his second start for the Marlins, rookie Sandy Alcantara completely confused the Phillies offense and the Marlins won this game, 2-1.

What It Means:  I know the Phillies are way ahead of their rebuild schedule, but up until a few weeks ago I had high hopes that this team might actually see some postseason play.  It's seeming less and less likely with every passing loss.  They sure haven't looked like a playoff team the past few months.

What Happened:  Rookie Austin Dean drove in both Marlins runs off Phillies starter Nick Pivetta, who went just four innings.  Three of the Phillies' six hits came from Jorge Alfaro, and overall the offense went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

Featured Card/Transaction:  Ben Lively, who had been designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Jerad Eickhoff, was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals.  In his 20 games for the Phillies (all starts) in 2017 and 2018, Lively compiled a record of 4-9 with a 4.81 ERA.  He leaves behind a handful of Phillies cards, including two appearances in both of this year's team issued photo card sets.

Lively Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi #38
2017 Chachi In Action #3
2018 Chachi #16

Arrived During the 2018 Season

Trevor Plouffe (4/23/18) - Signed as a minor league free agent, formerly with the Texas Rangers organization.
Asdrubal Cabrera (7/27/18) - Acquired from the New York Mets for Franklyn Kilome.
Wilson Ramos (7/31/18) - Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named later or cash.
Aaron Loup (7/31/18) - Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for Jacob Waguespack.
Justin Bour (8/10/18) - Acquired with cash from the Miami Marlins for McKenzie Mills.
Luis Avilan (8/22/18) - Acquired from the Chicago White Sox for Felix Paulino.
Jose Bautista (8/28/18) - Acquired from the New York Mets for a player to be named later or cash.

Departed During the 2018 Season
Drew Hutchison (6/5/18) - Designated for assignment and elected free agency.
Hoby Milner (7/15/18) - Sold to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Zac Curtis (7/31/18) - Designated for assingnment and claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers, 8/7/18.
Jake Thompson (8/14/18) - Traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations.
Mark Leiter, Jr. (9/1/18) - Claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Ben Lively (9/5/18) - Claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals.

2018 Chachi #16 Ben Lively

#19
Edward Bennett Lively
Starting Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  240
Opening Day Age:  26
Born:  March 5, 1992, Pensacola, FL
Drafted:  Selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 4th round of the June 2013 draft
Teams:  Phillies 2017-
Acquired:  Acquired from the Cincinnati Reds for Marlon Byrd and cash considerations, December 31, 2014

2015 Grandstand Reading Fightin Phils #19

2015 Bowman The Farm's Finest Minis #FFM-BL

2017 Chachi #38

2017 Topps Update #US160

25 Lively Baseball Cards in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2015 Grandstand Reading Fightin Phils #19
First Phillies Card:  2015 Bowman The Farm's Finest Minis #FFM-BL
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2017 Topps Update #US160
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue Update #49
Newest Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue 2 #19

2017 Phillies Team Issue Update #49

First Mention on The Phillies Room:  January 1, 2015 - It's fitting that the first full post of the new year features the latest veteran departure from the under performing 2014 club. Yesterday afternoon, the Phillies traded outfielder Marlon Byrd (and cash) to the Cincinnati Reds for pitching prospect Ben Lively.  The big squad sure isn't getting any better, but the Phillies' Double-A team should be fun to watch this year with Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin, Tom Windle and Lively slated to be the Fightin Phils' top four starting pitchers.

Byrd was one of the better offensive performers for the Phillies in 2014, hitting .264 in 154 games with 25 home runs and 85 RBIs. Although his 185 strikeouts were second only to Ryan Howard's 190 to lead the National League.

Lively joins Endy Chavez in the exclusive club of players the Phillies received in trades for Byrd. The right-handed pitcher had cards in this past year's Topps Heritage Minors, Bowman Chrome and Bowman Draft sets.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi #38
2017 Chachi In Action #3
2018 Chachi #16

Card statistics through 5/25/18.

2018 Chachi #8 Andrew Knapp

#15
Andrew Michael Knapp
Catcher

Bats:  Switch  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  204
Opening Day Age:  26
Born:  November 9, 1991, Roseville, CA
Drafted:  Selected by the Phillies in the 2nd round of the June 2013 draft
Teams:  Phillies 2017-
Acquired:  Via draft

2013 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #11

2013 Bowman Draft Prospects #BDPP17

2017 Chachi #10

2017 Topps Update #US160

19 Knapp Baseball Cards in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2013 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #11
First Phillies Card:  2013 Bowman Draft Prospects #BDPP17
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #64
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2017 Topps Update #US160
Latest Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue #15

2017 Phillies Team Issue #64

First Mention on The Phillies Room:  August 16, 2015 - Visiting Trenton Thunder & Utley's Final Days with the Phils . . . We decided to venture northwards to Trenton last night and pay our first visit to Arm & Hammer Park (formerly Mercer County Waterfront Park) to watch the visiting Reading Fightin Phils take on the home Trenton Thunder.  The Thunder are the Double-A affiliate of the Yankees, and I was very surprised that there were way more Phillies fans in attendance last night than Yankees fans.  (Or maybe the Phillies fans were just more vocal.)

We got our first look at the newly acquired Nick Williams (2 for 4 with 2 RBIs) and starting pitcher Jake Thompson (6 innings, 2 hits, 2 runs, 5 strikeouts) who were both still in the Rangers organization for our last Reading game.  We were also really impressed with catcher Andrew Knapp who went 1 for 4 and threw out three would be base stealers.  Knapp is hitting .405 in 38 games since being recallsed from Clearwater.  Third baseman Angelo Mora had a pair of hits and scored twice while closer Stephen Shackleford recorded his franchise high 27th save in the 4-2 Fightin Phils win.

Our boys got the chance to meet the Thunder's mascot Boomer, who is . . . some sort of yellow and purple something with sunglasses.  The boys also enjoyed watching Derby serve as the Thunder's bat dog.  Derby dutifully retrieved Thunder players' bats from the home plate area during the early innings of the game.  It was a fun night and we'll be checking the schedule next season to see when the Fightin Phils are back in Trenton.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi #10
2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #12
2017 Chachi In Action #5
2017 Chachi Archives #13
2017 Chachi Photo Night #28 (with Clay Buchholz and Cameron Rupp)
2018 Chachi #8

Card statistics through 5/6/18.

Game 4 - 2017 Topps Now #564 Ben Lively

Mets 2, Phillies 0
Game 4 - Tuesday Night, April 3rd in New York
Record - 1-3, Tied for 4th place, 2 1/2 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Matt Harvey and four Mets relievers held the Phillies offense to three singles in this 2-0 loss.

What It Means:  The Phillies had an ultra-rare Sunday off day followed by a snow-out on Monday.  It appeared as if the bats remained on hiatus on Tuesday night.  The game was streamed on the NBC sports app, meaning it was a radio broadcast only night in our household.

What Happened:  Ben Lively did his job, allowing two runs over 5 2/3 innings.  He struck out five.  Rhys Hoskins had one of the three hits and he's hit safely through the first four (now five) games.

Featured Card:  Lively has had success against the Mets in the past, and he earned this Topps Now card thanks to his performance last September 5th.  In that 9-1 Phillies victory, he threw seven innings and drove in four runs.  Two RBIs came courtesy of a fourth inning, two-run home run.

Grapefruit Game 32 - 2017 Topps Update #US160 Andrew Knapp & Ben Lively

Phillies 6, Pirates 3
Spring Training Game 32 - Monday Afternoon, March 26th in Bradenton
Record - 13-17-2

One Sentence Summary:  Scott Kingery and Andrew Knapp both homered for the Phillies and Vince Velasquez threw four shutout innings in this 6-3 win over the Pirates.

What It Means:  The Phillies will play their final spring training game on Tuesday afternoon in Clearwater.

What Happened:  A day after signing his big contract extension, Kingery hit his fifth home run of the spring and enjoyed a three-hit day.  J.P. Crawford had a two-run single in the second.

Featured Card:  Back-up catchers don't get a lot of attention, but Knapp had a decent spring behind the plate leading to the Phillies parting ways with Cameron Rupp.  His first Topps flagship card is shared with Ben Lively, who will start the season in the starting pitching rotation until Jake Arrieta is ready.  The final spot was going to come down to Lively or Zach Eflin and Eflin was optioned to the minors before this game.

2017 Topps Archives #154

Camp Head Count:  33 - 3 = 30.  The opening day roster seems all but set at this point.  Outfielder Roman Quinn along with pitchers Zac Curtis and Eflin were optioned to the IronPigs.  In a procedural move, Rupp was released.

The Phillies need to remove five more players at this point, which they'll accomplish by putting Jerad Eickhoff (back), Tommy Hunter (hamstring) and Mark Leiter, Jr. (elbow) on the disabled list to start the season.  Will Middlebrooks, the solo non-roster invitee still around, broke his leg in late February so he'll be reassigned to the minors and presumably spend the first part of the season on a minor league disabled list.

Jake Arrieta will either be optioned to the minors or placed on the disabled list until his scheduled first start on April 8th.

Grapefruit Game 26 - 2017 Phillies Team Issue Update #49 Ben Lively

Phillies 2, Blue Jays 0 (7 Innings)
Spring Training Game 26 - Tuesday Afternoon, March 20th in Clearwater
Record - 10-15-1

One Sentence Summary:  Ben Lively threw five shutout innings before rain ended the game, giving the Phils a 2-0 win over the Blue Jays.

What It Means:  While we were getting ice/freezing rain/snow in Philadelphia, Clearwater was also getting pummeled with rain.  I'd still rather be in Clearwater.

What Happened:  Lively gave up three hits and struck out four in his start.  Pedro Florimon had an RBI-triple in the second and scored on a Collin Cowgill ground out.

Featured Card:  Lively's team issued photo card for 2018 will need to reflect his new #54, as his old #49 went to Jake Arrieta upon his arrival.

Camp Head Count:  47 - 3 = 44.  Catcher Logan Moore, outfielder Andrew Pullin and infielder Mitch Walding were all assigned to minor league camp following the rain-shortened game.

2017 Topps Now #517 Rhys Hoskins

Phillies 6, Dodgers 2
Game 151 - Tuesday Night, September 19th in Philadelphia
Record - 60-91, 5th place, 31 1/2 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Rhys Hoskins had a clutch, three-run double in the seventh to give the Phillies the lead and ultimately a 6-2 win over the Dodgers.

What It Means:  The Phils are playing like they don't realize they're supposed to lose.  If they win three more games in their final 11 they'll avoid a 100-loss season which at one point seemed like their inevitable destiny.

What Happened:  Hoskins singled home the Phillies' first run in the sixth.  Odubel Herrera worked a bases loaded walk to tie the game at two before Hoskins cleared the bases to give the Phils a 5-2 lead. Aaron Altherr padded the lead with a solo home run (18) in the eighth.

Aaron Nola allowed two runs on five hits in his seven innings of work on the way to his 12th win. Herrera collected his 40th double of the season, the most since Jayson Werth had 46 in 2010.

Featured Card:  Get ready for Hoskins to appear in every Topps release and every conceivable insert set in 2018!  Here's another of his cards from the Topps Now release.

Finally, I thought this pre-game photo was really cool, featuring the past winners of the organization's annual Paul Owens Award, honoring the best position player and pitcher within the minor league system.  Current year winners Scott Kingery and Tom Eshelman are flanked by prior winners, including Chase Utley.

L to R - Mickey Morandini, Chase Utley, Rhys Hoskins, Freddy Galvis, Scott Kingery, Tom Eshelman, Luis Garcia,
Maikel Franco, J.P. Crawford, Andrew Knapp, Ricardo Pinto and Ben Lively

2015 Topps Heritage Minor League #167 Ben Lively

Phillies 9, Mets 1
Game 138 - Tuesday Night, September 5th in Flushing
Record - 53-85, 5th place, 31 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Ben Lively threw seven strong innings and drove in four runs in this 9-1 win over the Mets.

What It Means:  For the first of what is hopefully many, many times, J.P. Crawford, Rhys Hoskins, Nick Williams and Jorge Alfaro were all in the line-up together.

What Happened:  Lively had a two-run single in the second and a two-run home run in the fourth. On the mound, he picked up his third win, allowing one run on four hits. Alfaro had a three-hit night along with Freddy Galvis.  Williams stroked a bases-clearing double to cap the six-run fourth.

2015 Topps Heritage
Minor League #208

Featured Cards:  Lively became the first pitcher since Cliff Lee in 2013 to have a four RBI game.  He and Crawford both had cards in the 1966 Topps-inspired 2015 Topps Heritage Minor League set.

Transaction:  After helping the IronPigs reach the playoffs, Crawford had his contract selected from the IronPigs.  He's expected to see time at short, third and second for the Phillies over the final weeks of the season.  Pedro Florimon was placed on the 60 day disabled list to clear room for Crawford.

Phillies Debuts:  Crawford is the 13th player to make his Major League debut this season with the Phillies, and the 24th new Phillie overall.

24. J.P. Crawford (3b) - Started at third, batting seventh.  Reached on an error in the second in his first at-bat and came around to score his first run.  Singled in the fifth off Mets pitcher Josh Smoker.  Went 1 for 5 with a run scored and two strikeouts.

2017 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #8 Ben Lively

Phillies 3, Marlins 2
Game 133 - Thursday Night, August 31st in Miami
Record - 50-83, 5th place

One Sentence Summary:  Ben Lively hit and pitched the Phillies to a 3-2 win over the Marlins.

What It Means:  I wonder if the Phillies can catch the Mets in the standings and exit the basement?  With 29 games to play, they're eight games behind the Mets in the loss column.

What Happened:  Lively allowed two runs in his six innings of work, on the way to winning his second game.  Adam Morgan continued to pitch well, and he's allowed only one earned run in his last 14 1/3 innings pitched.  Hector Neris loaded the bases before recording his 17th save.

Lively drove in two runs in the fourth on a single to center to break a 1-1 tie.

Featured Card:  Lively hasn't received a Phillies baseball card yet this year, and this is his card from the IronPigs team set.

Transaction:  As expected, Jerad Eickhoff landed on the disabled list and Ricardo Pinto was recalled to take his place on the roster.  Get ready for the flurry of September call-ups today!

2017 Chachi #38 Ben Lively

#49
Edward Bennett Lively
Starting Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  190
Born:  March 5, 1992, Pensacola, FL
Home:  Gulf Breeze, FL
Drafted:  Selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 4th round of the June 2013 draft
Teams:  Phillies 2017
Acquired:  Acquired from the Cincinnati Reds for Marlon Byrd and cash considerations, December 31, 2014

2015 Grandstand Reading Fightin Phils #19

2015 Bowman The Farm's Finest Minis #FFM-BL

17 Lively Baseball Cards in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Card:  2015 Grandstand Reading Fightin Phils #19
First Phillies Card:  2015 Bowman The Farm's Finest Minis #FFM-BL
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A
Latest Card:  2017 Choice Phillies Minor League Top 30 Prospects #16

Click to enlarge

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi #38
2017 Chachi In Action #3

Card statistics through 6/19/17.

Ben Lively Shines in Debut; Avett Brothers Rock the Park

2017 Chachi In Action #3

Phillies 5, Giants 3
Game 53 - Saturday Afternoon, June 3rd in Philadelphia
Record - 18-35, 5th place, 15 1/2 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Ben Lively was extremely impressive in his big league debut and a big three-run triple from Odubel Herrera (with accompanying bat flip) led the Phillies to a rare win.

What It Means:  This was the first Phillies win since the prior Saturday, a game we also attended.

What Happened:  Lively allowed a run on four hits over seven innings with nary a strikeout. Tommy Joseph tied the game at one with a solo home run (9) in the sixth.  Herrera came up with the bases loaded in the seventh against Hunter Strickland and cleared them off with a double to center.

Hector Neris made it interesting in the ninth allowing two Giants runs, but Jeanmar Gomez closed it out with one pitch by inducing a game-ending force out.

Featured Card:  Lively's regular issue Chachi card features a still shot of him, so I thought it appropriate to give him an In Action card to celebrate his debut.

Field Report:  Jenna and I enjoyed the first few innings of this game from Harry the K's, and then we made our way to Section 116 to watch the tail-end of Lively's outing along with the eventual post-game Gatorade bath he received.

After the game, we enjoyed a fantastic performance from The Avett Brothers, andthe setlist for the mini-concert is below.  It was the first time we had seen the band live, and I wouldn't mind catching another of their shows whenever they're back in town.

1. Kick Drum Heart
2. Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
3. Satan Pulls the Strings
4. Live and Die
5. Laundry Room
6. Go to Sleep
7. Jump in the Line (Harry Belafonte cover)
8. Ain't No Man
9. Black Mountain Rag (traditional cover)
10. True Sadness
11. Shame
12. Morning Song
13. Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise
14. I Shall Be Released (Bob Dylan cover)

Encore
15. Slight Figure of Speech

Transactions:  The Phillies optioned Mark Leiter, Jr. to the IronPigs to make room for Lively on the roster.  Joaquin Benoit was placed on the disabled list with a left knee sprain and Adam Morgan was brought up from Lehigh Valley (again) to take his place.

Phillies Debuts:  Lively became the 13th player to make his Phillies debut in 2017 and the 6th to make his major league debut.

13.  Ben Lively (rhp) - Threw seven solid innings, earning the win.  Became first Phillie to throw seven innings in his debut since Gavin Floyd did it on September 3, 2004.  Also became the first Phillies pitcher to throw at least seven innings and get his first hit in his debut since Dave Downs on Setpember 2, 1972.

Phillies Overhaul 40-Man Roster

2016 Choice Lakewood BlueClaws #1

2016 Topps Heritage Minor League #64

2016 Choice Reading Fightin Phils Playoff #23

2016 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #9

On Friday afternoon, in the biggest 40-man roster overhaul in recent memory, the Phillies dropped three players and added 11 in preparation for the upcoming Rule 5 draft.  Over the past seven offseasons, the most prospects added to the 40-man roster in November prior to this was five.  Here's a look at the 11 players added, their 2016 clubs, and a few brief notes.

• Drew Anderson (rhp) - Lakewood/Clearwater - Struck out 78 in 70 innings and pitched the first four innings of a combined Threshers no-hitter in July.
• Mark Appel (rhp) - Lehigh Valley - Acquired from the Astros in the Ken Giles trade and missed most of the season with a shoulder injury.
• Dylan Cozens (of) - Reading - Co-winner (with Rhys Hoskins) of the 2016 Paul Owens Award for the best Phillies position player in their minor leagues.
• Elniery Garcia (lhp) - Clearwater - 12-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 20 games.

2016 Topps Heritage Minor League #183

2016 Choice Reading Fightin Phils Top Prospects #14

2016 Topps Heritage Minor League #13

2016 Grandstand Reading Fightin Phils #23

• Andrew Knapp (c) - Lehigh Valley - Hit .266 with 8 home runs and 46 RBIs in 107 games.
• Ben Lively (rhp) - Reading/Lehigh Valley - Winner of the 2016 Paul Owens Award for the best Phillies pitcher in the minors.
• Ricardo Pinto (rhp) - Reading - Represented the Phillies on the World Team in the 2016 Futures Game.
• Nick Pivetta (rhp) - Reading/Lehigh Valley - Acquired from the Nationals for Jonathan Papelbon, went a combined 12-8 with a 3.27 ERA in 27 starts.
• Alberto Tirado (rhp) - Lakewood/Clearwater - Acquired from the Blue Jays (with Jimmy Cordero) for Ben Revere.
• Jesmuel Valentin (inf) - Reading/Lehigh Valley - Hit .269 in 125 games.
• Nick Williams (of) - Lehigh Valley - One of the top prospects in the organization, hit .258 with 13 home runs and 64 RBIs for the IronPigs.

2016 Choice Lakewood BlueClaws #24

2016 Choice Reading Fightin Phils Playoff #21

2016 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #2

To create some room for all the additions, the Phillies designated David Buchanan and Cordero for assignment and announced that Elvis Araujo was claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins.

2016 Chachi Departures #5

Elvis Araujo Chachi Checklist

2015 Chachi New Additions #1
2015 Chachi #37
2016 Chachi #34
2017 Chachi Departures #5

Memory Lane

2009 Additions - Quintin Berry, Yohan Flande and Jesus Sanchez
2010 Additions - Cesar Hernandez, Matt Rizzotti, Harold Garcia, Freddy Galvis and Justin De Fratus*
2011 Additions - Phillippe Aumont, Jake Diekman, Tyson Gillies and Sebastian Valle
2012 Additions - Zach Collier, Ethan Martin, Trevor May and Jonathan Pettibone
2013 Additions - Aaron Altherr, Kelly Dugan, Tommy Joseph and Rob Rasmussen
2014 Additions - Jesse Biddle, Adam Morgan and Nefi Ogando
2015 Additions - Jimmy Cordero, Roman Quinn and Edubray Ramos
2016 Additions - 11 prospects

*Somehow I skipped 2010 and didn't do a post.