2017 Donruss #132 Maikel Franco

Phillies 4, Braves 3 (10)
Game 17 - Saturday Night, April 22nd in Philadelphia
Record - 8-9, 3rd place, 4 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  The Phils won a sloppy game against the Braves with a clutch two-run single from Maikel Franco in the 10th.

What It Means:  It means the Phillies are a game under .500 and they'll go for the series sweep this afternoon.  The Phillies also have their first three-game win streak since last July.

What Happened:  Brought in to the game with a 2-1 lead, Edubray Ramos recorded the first two outs of the ninth before allowing a no-doubt-about-it solo home run to Brandon Phillips.  The Braves took a 3-2 lead in the 10th thanks in part to throwing errors from Tommy Joseph and Franco.

In the bottom of the 10th, Franco delivered a two-out, bases loaded single off the right field wall to give the Phillies the 4-3 win.

Featured Card:  This was Franco's first official walk-off hit, as his game winner back on August 3, 2016 was ruled a fielder's choice when Aaron Altherr failed to reach second base.  This is his 1990 Donruss-inspired card from this year's Donruss release.

2012 Bowman Chrome
Prospects #BCP129

Transaction:  On Saturday afternoon, the Phillies acquired super utility player Ty Kelly from the Blue Jays for cash considerations.  Kelly appeared in one game for the Mets in early April before being designated for assignment.  Selected off waivers by the Blue Jays, he didn't appear in a game with the club prior to the Phillies acquiring him.  Kelly is expected to be activated prior to Tuesday's game.

Kelly appeared in 39 games last season for the Mets and has played professionally within the Orioles, Mariners, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Mets systems since 2009.  His only mainstream baseball cards to date can be found within the 2010 Topps Pro Debut and 2012 Bowman Chrome sets.

Departed During the 2017 Season

• Tyler Goeddel - of (4/5/17) - Claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds

Arrived During the 2017 Season

• Ty Kelly - inf (4/22/17) - Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash.

2017 Chachi #5 Michael Saunders

#5
Michael Edward Brett Saunders
Right Field

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  225
Born:  November 19, 1986, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Home:  Castle Rock, CO
Drafted:  Selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 11th round of the June 2004 draft
Teams:  Seattle Mariners 2009-2014; Toronto Blue Jays 2015-2016; Phillies 2017
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent formerly with the Toronto Blue Jays, January 19, 2017

2009 Topps Update #UH3

2017 Phillies Team Issue #5

1 Saunders Baseball Card in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #5
First Phillies Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #5
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #5
Latest Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #5

First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2009 Topps Update #UH3

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi New Additions #7
2017 Chachi #5

Card statistics through 4/22/17.

Ben's Birthday Night with the Phillies

2017 Topps Heritage #213

Phillies 4, Braves 3
Game 16 - Friday Night, April 21st in Philadelphia
Record - 7-9, 4th place, 4 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Jeremy Hellickson outdueled Bartolo Colon as the Phillies overcame the Braves, 4-3.

What It Means:  Hellickson improved to 3-0 with his performance and his WHIP of 0.71 is the lowest in the N.L.

What Happened:  Aaron Altherr had an RBI-double and went 2 for 3. Freddy Galvis and Tommy Joseph added RBI singles.  Hellickson allowed just three hits over his seven innings, striking out five. Hector Neris made it interesting in the ninth but waited out a 24 minute rain delay to secure his second save.

Featured Card:  Hellickson has been incredibly impressive so far this season and one has to wonder if he'll still be with the club if (and that's a big if) they fall out of contention.  This is his 1968 Topps-style Topps Heritage card.

Field Report:  While Doug and I were battling the Indians in Little League action (our team is the Pirates), Jenna and Ben traveled to the ballpark to celebrate Ben's birthday.  He received a hat from the Phils for his birthday and his name appeared on the scoreboard following the 4th inning.  It was a little wet (and a little cold) but Ben had a great time!  I still can't believe he's seven.

Transaction:  Prior to the game, Ben Lively was optioned back to Lehigh Valley and Pat Neshek was activated from the paternity leave list.  Lively, who was assigned #49, did not appear in a game.

2017 Topps Phillies #PHI-5 Hector Neris

Phillies 6, Mets 4
Game 15 - Thursday Night, April 20th in Flushing
Record - 6-9, Tied for 4th place, 4 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies took advantage of some sloppy defense to defeat Noah Syndergaard and the Mets, 6-4.

What It Means:  The Phillies won this series and they opened a weekend series with the Braves on Friday night.

What Happened:  Three of the five runs allowed by Syndergaard in the first three innings were unearned due to Mets errors.  Tommy Joseph went 3 for 4 with an RBI and Maikel Franco hit a solo home run (3) in the eighth.

Aaron Nola earned the win, allowing four runs on seven hits over five innings.  Closer-of-the-day Hector Neris locked down the ninth for his first save of the season.

Featured Card:  Manager Pete Mackanin isn't committing at this point to either Neris or Joaquin Benoit as the team's closer, preferring to make his decision game by game.  Neris earned a card in the first series of the Topps flagship set this year, due to his fine relief from last season.  He has a similar card, albeit with a white Topps logo, in the retail team set.

2017 Spring Training Roster - Where They Went

2016 Choice Reading Fightin Phils Playoff #28

2016 Topps Heritage High Numbers #667

2016 Topps Heritage Minor League Blue Border #190

2017 Topps Gypsy Queen #4

This is the sixth year I've taken a look back at the players who broke camp with the Phillies in February and charted where they all ended up.  This year, the Phillies started with 62 players (40 on the 40-man roster and 22 non-roster invitees) and they added two more players along the way.  25 of the 64 players started the season with the big club in Cincinnati.

Here's a look at where the other 39 players ended up.

Disabled List (1):  Zach Eflin

Released (4):  Sean Burnett, Chris Coghlan, Ryan Hanigan and Bryan Holaday

Coghlan signed with the Blue Jays, Hanigan with the Rockies and Holaday with the Tigers.

Traded (2):  Alec Asher and Tyler Goeddel

In his first start for the Orioles on April 15th, Asher allowed one run and struck out five in 6 1/3 innings.

AAA - Lehigh Valley IronPigs (25):  Jorge Alfaro, Mark Appel, Pedro Beato, Dylan Cozens, J.P. Crawford, Taylor Featherston, Pedro Florimon, Luis Garcia, Hector Gomez, Dalier Hinojosa, Rhys Hoskins, Ben Lively, Michael Mariot, Hoby Milner, Logan Moore, Colton Murray, Cam Perkins, Ricardo Pinto, Nick Pivetta, Roman Quinn, Cesar Ramos, Jake Thompson, Jesmuel Valentin, Pat Venditte and Nick Williams

Hinojosa and Murray began the season on the IronPigs' 7-day disabled list.

AA - Reading Fightin Phils (6):  Drew Anderson, Victor Arano, Elniery Garcia, Scott Kingery, Chace Numata, Andrew Pullin

Arano is on Reading's disabled list and shortly after the season began Garcia was suspended 80 games for PEDs.

A - Clearwater Threshers (1):  Alberto Tirado

Memory Lane

2012:  The Spring Training 57 (+1): Where They Went
2013:  The Spring Training 62: Where They Went
2014:  The Spring Training 58 (+2): Where They Went
2015:  The Spring Training 58 (+2): Where They Went
2016:  The Spring Training 66 (+1): Where They Went
2017:  The Spring Training 62 (+2): Where They Went

Series Preview - Braves at Phillies: April 21st to April 23rd

Friday and Saturday 7:05, Sunday 1:35
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

Braves 6-7, 4th Place in the N.L. East, 2 games behind the Nationals
Phillies 5-8, 5th Place in the N.L. East, 3 games behind the Nationals

Braves Probables:  Bartolo Colon (1-1, 4.24), Jaime Garcia (0-1, 4.67), Mike Foltynewicz (0-2, 4.26)
Phillies Probables:  Jeremy Hellickson (2-0, 1.59), Jerad Eickhoff (0-1, 2.75), Zach Eflin (0-0, 3.60)

At the Ballpark:  Tonight the Phillies will pay tribute to Jackie Robinson, and I believe both the Braves and Phillies will once again all wear Robinson's #42.  The Phanatic celebrates his birthday on Sunday afternoon with all kids receiving a Phanatic cap.

Braves Leaders
Average:  Freddie Freeman - .407
Runs:  Freddie Freeman - 13
Home Runs:  Freddie Freeman - 6
RBIs:  Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis - 8
Stolen Bases:  Brandon Phillips - 4

Wins:  Jim Johnson - 2
ERA:  Julio Teheran - 3.52
Strikeouts:  Julio Teheran - 18
Saves:  Jim Johnson - 3

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Cesar Hernandez - .299
Runs:  Cesar Hernandez - 13
Home Runs:  Maikel Franco and Cesar Hernandez - 3
RBIs:  Maikel Franco - 12
Stolen Bases:  Cesar Hernandez - 3

Wins:  Jeremy Hellickson and Aaron Nola - 2
ERA:  Jeremy Hellickson - 1.59
Strikeouts:  Vince Velasquez - 19
Saves:  Three tied with - 1

1982 Topps #296

1982 Topps #680

1982 Topps Appreciation:  On March 25, 1981, about five short months after winning the first World Championship in franchise history, the Phillies traded their World Series game one starting pitcher to the Braves for outfielder Gary Matthews.  Bob Walk went 11-7 for the Phillies in 1980 and he wouldn't find success again in the big leagues until the 1986 season with the Pirates.  Walk bounced back and forth between the Braves and their Triple-A team in Richmond for three seasons, ultimately posting a 12-13 record over 45 games with the Braves.

Matthews had signed a lucrative six-year contract with the Braves in 1976 and was set to become a free agent following the 1981 season.  Following public acrimony between Matthews and the Braves, the Phillies landed Matthews to replace Greg Luzinski whose departure to the White Sox was imminent.  The trade worked out for both Matthews and the Phils, as he'd earn MVP votes in both 1981 and 1982 and then win N.L.C.S. MVP honors in 1983.

Happy Birthday Ben!

I find it hard to believe that Ben, our youngest son, turns seven today.  It's absolutely true what everyone says in that seven years went by in the blink of an eye.

Ben loves his dog Chewbacca and he loves dogs (especially puppies) in general.  He loves to play soccer and tennis and he loves to swim.  He likes school and his friends.  He likes to write little stories and he recently found enjoyment with building Legos.  He likes to garden - both flowers and vegetables, and he likes to play outside.  Ben has shown an incredible interest in traveling and seeing as many different places as possible.  He likes telling people where he's been and where he'd like to go next.

He's a great kid with a big heart and I'm prouder of him every day.  Happy birthday Ben!

Memory Lane

2010 - Welcome Ben!

2010 - Ben is born, Roy Halladay wins, all is right with the world

2011 - Ben turns one as Roy Oswalt pitches the Phillies past the Padres

2012 - Happy 2nd Birthday Ben!

2013 - Happy 3rd Birthday Ben!
2014 - Ben is Four!
2015 - Ben is Five!
2016 - Ben and Chewbacca

2017 Topps Gypsy Queen #92 Vince Velasquez

Mets 5, Phillies 4
Game 14 - Wednesday Night, April 19th in Flushing
Record - 5-9, 5th place, 4 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Jay Bruce hit two home runs leading to this 5-4 Mets win.

What It Means:  Ugh.

What Happened:  Vince Velasquez was pitching a great ballgame until he allowed Bruce's three-run home run in the sixth.  Bruce added a two-run shot off Edubray Ramos in the eighth.

Michael Saunders had a pair of hits and an RBI, while Cesar Hernandez went 0 for 5, snapping his 11-game hitting streak.

Featured Card:  Velasquez has been maddeningly inconsistent in his short career so far, but he's only 24 and I think the best is yet to come.  Here's his card from the recently released Topps Gypsy Queen set.

Transaction:  Ben Lively joined Mark Leiter, Jr. in the bullpen before the game, as the young prospect was recalled from Lehigh Valley to take the place of Pat Neshek.  Neshek was placed on the paternity leave list and Lively's stay (for now) will be temporary.

Happy Birthday Mom!

1950 Bowman #204

1952 Bowman #148

I'm a few days late with this post, as I had to take a quick little work trip to Chicago.  Sadly, I was unable to fit a baseball game into my visit and return trips to Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park (aka Guaranteed Rate Field) will have to wait until (hopefully) my next Chicago trip.

But I digress.  Another tax day has come and gone and my Mom's birthday was on Monday.  As has been the tradition in recent years, I'm compensated for preparing my Mom's tax returns in the form of vintage Phillies baseball cards.  This is an amazing form of compensation and at the same time a horrible business model if I was actually in the business of preparing individual tax returns.  I'm always extremely grateful for the time my Mom takes to review my want lists and then track down Phillies cards I need.  She's very meticulous in her hunt, and the cards she provides are always in fantastic shape.

This year was no different than prior years.  I added two more Bowman Phillies cards to my collection as I creep ever closer to having a full run of vintage Bowman Phillies team sets.  The fantastic horizontal Granny Hamner card from the 1950 Bowman set means I'm just one card away (#177 Hank Borowy) from the complete team set.  And the Ken Heintzelman card from the 1952 Bowman set means I'm three cards away from completing that team set.

1952 Topps #44

1958 Topps #134

Next up were a few vintage Topps cards.  I've had a reprint of Con Dempsey's 1952 Topps card in my collection for over 30 years, and I now I've added the original.  My Mom also tracked down a 1958 Topps Phillies team card, with a pristinely unmarked back.

Even though I'm extremely thankful for my Mom every day, I like to officially declare my gratitude every year on (or near) her birthday.  Nothing I've accomplished so far would have been possible without the love, support, patience and baseball card purchasing of her and my Dad.  Happy birthday Mom!

2017 Topps Phillies #PHI-13 Andres Blanco

Phillies 6, Mets 2 (10 Innings)
Game 13 - Tuesday Night, April 18th in Flushing
Record - 5-8, 5th place, 3 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies took advantage of a costly Jose Reyes error to tie the game in the eighth, and then eventually won the game with four 10th inning runs.

What It Means:  It wasn't pretty, and the Phillies had several gaffes of their own, but we'll take it.

What Happened:  The Mets were leading 2-1 with two outs in the eighth when Reyes dropped a pop up from Freddy Galvis.  Andres Blanco followed with a game-tying, ground rule double that should have scored Galvis had he run out the dropped pop up.  In the 10th, Cameron Rupp broke the tie with a sacrifice fly, Aaron Altherr singled home Tommy Joseph and Daniel Nava capped the scoring with a two-run single that shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera couldn't handle.

2016 Grandstand Reading
Fightin Phils #13

In his first start of the season, Zach Eflin settled down after allowing two first inning runs.  He lasted five innings, giving up just the two runs on three hits.

Featured Cards:  Blanco gets the honors due to his big pinch-hit double in the eighth.  The super utility player received a card in this year's Topps Phillies retail team set.

Transactions:  Prior to the game, Clay Buchholz was placed on the disabled list and Eflin was recalled from Lehigh Valley.  Buchholz had forearm surgery yesterday and his season is likely done after two games and 7 1/3 innings.

Howie Kendrick was also placed on the disabled list with an abdominal strain and pitcher Mark Leiter, Jr. was selected from the IronPigs.  Leiter, Jr.'s dad pitched for the Phillies in 1997 and 1998, saving 23 games.

2017 Chachi #4 Maikel Franco

#7

Maikel Antonio Franco

Third Base

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  221

Born:  August 26, 1992, Azua, Dominican Republic

Home:  Azua, Dominican Republic

Signed:  Signed as an amateur free agent, January 13, 2010

Teams:  Phillies 2014-

Acquired:  Via free agency

2011 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #19

2012 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP112

2014 Chachi #62

2015 Topps #309

99 Franco Baseball Cards in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Card:  2011 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #19
First Phillies Card:  2012 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP112
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2014 Phillies Team Issue #74
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2015 Topps #309
Latest Card:  2017 Topps Gypsy Queen #220

Complete Chachi Checklist
2014 Chachi #62
2015 Chachi #40
2016 Chachi Preview #1
2016 Chachi Preview #6
2016 Chachi #3
2016 Chachi #55 - Triple Play
2016 Chachi #65 Batting Leaders
2016 Chachi #66 RBI Leaders
2016 Chachi #67 Home Run Leaders
2016 Chachi Archives #3
2016 Chachi Photo Day #35
2017 Chachi #4

Card statistics through 4/18/17.

Series Preview - Phillies at Mets: April 18th to April 20th

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 7:10
Citi Field - Flushing, NY

Phillies 4-8, 5th Place in the N.L. East, 3 games behind the Nationals
Mets 7-6, Tied for 2nd Place in the N.L. East, 1/2 game behind the Nationals

Phillies Probables:  Zach Eflin (0-0, 0.00), Vince Velasquez (0-2, 9.00), Aaron Nola (1-0, 3.27)
Mets Probables:  Zack Wheeler (1-1, 7.45), Robert Gsellman (0-1, 9.28), Noah Syndergaard (1-0, 0.95)

At the Ballpark:  Sorry Mets fans, but there are no giveaways or special promotions planned for this series with the Phillies.

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Cesar Hernandez - .346
Runs:  Cesar Hernandez - 13
Home Runs:  Cesar Hernandez - 3
RBIs:  Maikel Franco - 9
Stolen Bases:  Five tied with - 1

Wins:  Jeremy Hellickson - 2
ERA:  Jeremy Hellickson - 1.59
Strikeouts:  Jerad Eickhoff - 18
Saves:  Joaquin Benoit and Jeanmer Gomez - 1

Mets Leaders
Average:  Asdrubal Cabrera - .286
Runs:  Three tied with - 9
Home Runs:  Yoenis Cespedes - 6
RBIs:  Yoenis Cespedes - 10
Stolen Bases:  Asdrubal Cabrera and Wilmer Flores - 1

Wins:  Matt Harvey and Hansel Robles - 2
ERA:  Noah Syndergaard - 0.95
Strikeouts:  Jacob deGrom - 22
Saves:  Addison Reed - 3

2017 Chachi #3 Odubel Herrera

#37

Odubel Herrera

Center Field

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'11"  Weight:  211

Born:  December 29, 1991, Zulia, Venezuela

Home:  Zulia, Venezuela

Signed:  Signed by the Texas Rangers as an amateur free agent, July 3, 2008

Teams:  Phillies 2015-

Acquired:  Selected by the Phillies from the Texas Rangers in the Rule 5 draft, December 11, 2014

2015 Phillies Team Issue #37

2015 Chachi #2

2015 Topps #687

28 Herrera Baseball Cards in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Card:  2015 Phillies Team Issue #37
First Phillies Card:  2015 Phillies Team Issue #37
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2015 Phillies Team Issue #37
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2015 Topps #687
Latest Card:  2017 Topps Gypsy Queen #28

Click to enlarge

Complete Chachi Checklist
2015 Chachi New Additions #3
2015 Chachi #2
2015 Chachi #53 HL - Hamels No-Hitter
2016 Chachi Preview #3
2016 Chachi #2
2016 Chachi #49 AS
2016 Chachi #65 Batting Leaders
2016 Chachi Archives #1
2016 Chachi Photo Day #14
2016 Chachi Photo Day #37
2017 Chachi #3
2017 Chachi #34 HL - 1st Inning Explosion

Card statistics through 4/17/17.

2017 Phillies Team Issue #53 Joaquin Benoit

Nationals 6, Phillies 4
Game 12 - Sunday Afternoon, April 16th in Washington
Record - 4-8, 5th place, 3 games behind the Marlins and Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Joaquin Benoit and Bryce Harper combined to ruin Cesar Hernandez's big day as Harper's walk-off home run off the new Phillies' closer led to a 6-4 Nationals win.

What It Means:  I enjoyed relaxing and watching this game on Easter Sunday afternoon . . . until Benoit and Harper went and ruined it all.

What Happened:  Hernandez was on base four times with three hits and a walk, including a lead-off home run (3) to begin the game.  Daniel Nava and Tommy Joseph singled home two runs in the eighth to tie up the game at 3-3.  Freddy Galvis gave the Phillies a temporary lead in the ninth with a fielder's choice to score Aaron Altherr.

Harper homered off Benoit with two on and two outs in the ninth to give the Nationals the win and the series victory.

Featured Card:  This is the veteran Benoit's sole Phillies card to date, found within the team's photo card set.

2016 Topps #421B Cesar Hernandez (#42 Photo Variation)

Phillies 4, Nationals 2
Game 11 - Saturday Afternoon, April 15th in Washington
Record - 4-7, 5th place, 2 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  An eighth inning two-run home run from Cesar Hernandez and seven strong innings from Jeremy Hellickson propelled the Phillies to victory over the Nationals, 4-2.

What It Means:  Both teams paid tribute to Jackie Robinson, marking the 70th anniversary of the icon's major league debut with all players, coaches and both managers wearing his #42.

What Happened:  It was Hernandez's second home run of the season and it came off old friend Joe Blanton, now a reliever for the Nationals.  Hellickson allowed two runs on four hits in his outing and new closer Joaquin Benoit pitched a perfect ninth for his first save.

Featured Card:  This seemed like a fitting card for this post.  Topps issued several photo variations in its second series last year, displaying players wearing Robinson's #42.  This is Hernandez's short-printed card from those variations.

Happy Easter to you and your family!

2017 Topps Gypsy Queen #104 Jeanmar Gomez

Nationals 3, Phillies 2 (10 Innings)
Game 10 - Friday Afternoon, April 14th in Washington
Record - 3-7, 5th Place, 3 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Jeanmar Gomez couldn't keep the Nationals off the board in the 10th, as the Phillies dropped their fourth game in a row.

What It Means:  It took 10 games for the Phillies to slip quietly into last place in the East.

What Happened:  Aaron Nola made it through only five innings, allowing a run on six hits while striking out six.  With the score tied at two, Gomez pitched a scoreless ninth and was brought out to try to do the same in the 10th.  He didn't.  Bryce Harper led off with a single and Daniel Murphy promptly doubled him home.

Tommy Joseph hit his first home run of the season.

Featured Card:  With the exception of the Brad Lidge collapse between 2008 and 2009, I don't recall ever watching a former dominant closer crash and burn as quickly as Gomez.  His September was a nightmare in which he went 0-3 with two blown saves and a 19.13 ERA (17 earned runs in 8 innings).  That has unfortunately carried over to 2017 as he's already blown a save, lost his closer's role and owns a 11.81 ERA (7 earned runs in 5 1/3 innings).

Gomez has been featured in the Topps Heritage and Topps Gypsy Queen sets so far this year.

2017 Chachi #2 Howie Kendrick

#47
Howard Joseph Kendrick III
Left Field

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'11"  Weight:  220
Born:  July 12, 1983, Jacksonville, FL
Home:  Phoenix, AZ
Drafted:  Selected by the Anaheim Angels in the 10th round of the June 2002 draft
Teams:  Los Angeles Angels 2006-2014; Los Angeles Dodgers 2015-2016; Phillies 2017
Acquired:  Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Darin Ruf and Darnell Sweeney, November 11, 2016

2004 Topps Traded #T154

2017 Topps Heritage #26

3 Kendrick Baseball Cards in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Card:  2017 Topps Heritage #26
First Phillies Card:  2017 Topps Heritage #26
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #47
Latest Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #47

First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2004 Topps Traded #T154

Click to enlarge

Complete Chachi Checklist
2016 Chachi New Additions #2
2017 Chachi #2

Card statistics through 4/14/17.

Series Preview - Phillies at Nationals: April 14th to April 16th

Friday 4:05, Saturday 1:05 and Sunday 1:35
Nationals Park - Washington, D.C.

Phillies 3-6, 4th Place in the N.L. East, 3 1/2 games behind the Mets
Nationals 5-4, 2nd Place in the N.L. East, 1 1/2 games behind the Nationals

Phillies Probables:  Aaron Nola (1-0, 4.50), Jeremy Hellickson (1-0, 0.90), Jerad Eickhoff (0-1, 1.98)
Nationals Probables:  Stephen Strasburg (1-0, 3.21), Tanner Roark (2-0, 4.09), Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 0.69)

At the Ballpark:  It's the home opener for the Nationals and the first 25,000 fans will receive a Daniel Murphy bobble head.  Tomorrow is Jackie Robinson day, which will feature both teams wearing Robinson's iconic #42.

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Howie Kendrick - .355
Runs:  Cesar Hernandez - 9
Home Runs:  Three tied with - 2
RBIs:  Maikel Franco - 8
Stolen Bases:  Three tied with - 1

Wins:  Three tied with - 1
ERA:  Jeremy Hellickson - 0.90
Strikeouts:  Vince Velasquez - 17
Saves:  Jeanmer Gomez - 1

Nationals Leaders
Average:  Daniel Murphy - .450
Runs:  Adam Eaton and Bryce Harper - 9
Home Runs:  Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman - 3
RBIs:  Daniel Murphy - 9
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 3

Wins:  Tanner Roark - 2
ERA:  Gio Gonzalez - 0.69
Strikeouts:  Max Scherzer - 17
Saves:  Blake Treinen - 3

2017 Topps Heritage #295 Maikel Franco

Mets 5, Phillies 4
Game 9 - Wednesday Night, April 12th in Philadelphia
Record - 3-6, 4th place, 3 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Maikel Franco hit his second career grand slam but the early hole dug by Vince Velasquez was too much to overcome and the Mets won, 5-4.

What It Means:  As Meghan Montemurro pointed out on Twitter, with this series sweep, the Phillies are 18-42 against the Mets since 2014 and they've been outscored 347-218 (-129 run differential) in those games. That's not good.

What Happened:  Velasquez had another short outing, allowing all five Mets runs in the first five innings on five hits and four walks.

Featured Card:  Franco has cards in all this year's early baseball card releases, including this card from the Topps Heritage set.

Transaction:  Luis Garcia was recalled from Lehigh Valley prior to this game to take Adam Morgan's spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

2017 Topps Phillies #PHI-8 Clay Buchholz

Mets 14, Phillies 4
Game 8 - Tuesday Night, April 11th in Philadelphia
Record - 3-5, 4th place, 2 games behind the Mets and Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Yoenis Cespedes hit three home runs and Clay Buchholz left the game with a right forearm strain as the Mets clobbered the Phillies, 14-4.

What It Means:  For the first time this season, the Phillies delivered "an embarassing loss" according to manager Pete Mackanin.

What Happened:  Buchholz left in the third inning having allowed six runs on eight hits.  It's unclear when he'll pitch again as a trip to the disabled list seems likely.  The four pitchers sacrificed to the Mets in this game have some pretty awful ERAs - Buchholz (12.27), Adam Morgan (10.50), Joely Rodriguez (11.81) and Jeanmar Gomez (12.46).

Featured Card:  Buchholz has three Phillies cards already to his name - this card from the Phillies Topps retail team set, a card in the Topps Heritage set and his photo card from the team-issued set. Only the team-issued photo card shows him wearing an actual Phillies uniform and not a photoshopped version.

Transactions:  Before the game, Zach Eflin was activated from the disabled list and optioned to Lehigh Valley.  His stay there could be short.  Following the game, Morgan, who gave up two of the three Cespedes home runs, was optioned to Lehigh Valley.