Game 17 - Phils Take First Game of Twinbill from Sox

1954 Bowman #143

Phillies 7, White Sox 4 (Game 1)
Game 17 - Tuesday Afternoon, April 18th in Chicago
Record - 7-10

One Sentence Summary:  Bryson Stott extended his season opening hitting streak to 17 games and the Phillies took care of the White Sox in this 7-4, Game 1 win.

What It Means:  Stott's 17-game hitting streak broke the 16-game consecutive streak record set by Willie "Puddin' Head" Jones in 1950.

What Happened:  The Phillies plated three first inning runs, with Nick Castellanos singling home Stott, and Alec Bohm adding a two-run single.  In the third, Josh Harrison added a two-run single to put the Phillies up 5-0.  Zack Wheeler ran into trouble in the third, allowing four runs to score, and Wheeler would exit after five innings.  His final line shows four runs on eight hits and five strikeouts.  Harrison hit a two-run home run in the seventh, his first with the Phillies, giving him four RBIs on the day.  Jose Alvarado pitched a perfect ninth inning, recording his first save of the season.

Featured Card:  I really don't want to pass up the opportunity to feature a vintage Jones baseball card, especially one showing an actual signature of his where he signed his first name as "Puddin' Head."

Transaction:  Yunior Marte (rhp) was added to the bullpen as the 27th man for this double header.

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

Phillies at White Sox: April 17th to April 19th

1965 Topps #372

1965 Topps #198

Tuesday Double Header 4:10, Wednesday 2:10
Guaranteed Rate Field - Chicago, IL

At the Ballpark:  There are few ticket discount packages available for this series, but otherwise no other promotions or giveaways scheduled.  Bill Veeck would not approve.

Phillies 6-10
4th Place in the N.L. East, 6 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (0-1, 4.02)
Bailey Falter (0-2, 4.80)
Taijuan Walker (1-1, 4.20)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryson Stott - .380
Runs:  Nick Castellanos and Trea Turner - 13
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 4
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 14
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott and Trea Turner - 3

Wins:  Six tied with - 1
ERA:  Aaron Nola - 5.91

Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 19
Saves:  Craig Kimbrel - 1

White Sox 6-10
Tied for 3rd Place in the A.L. Central, 4 games behind the Twins

White Sox Probables
Lance Lynn (0-1, 7.31)
Lucas Giolito (0-1, 6.00)
Mike Clevinger (2-0, 2.20)

White Sox Leaders
Average:  Yasmani Grandal - .298
Runs:  Andrew Benintendi and Luis Robert - 10
Home Runs:  Luis Robert - 5
RBIs:  Luis Robert - 11
Stolen Bases:  Tim Anderson - 5

Wins:  Dylan Cease and Mike Clevinger - 2
ERA:  Dylan Cease - 2.01

Strikeouts:  Dylan Cease - 29
Saves:  Reynaldo Lopez - 2

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

2023 Chachi #6 Bryson Stott

#5

Bryson Jeremy Stott
Second Base

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  200
Opening Day Age:  25

Born:  October 6, 1997, Las Vegas, NV
Acquired:  Drafted by the Phillies in the 1st round (14th pick) of the 2019 amateur draft, June 3, 2019

Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2025
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022-2023

World Series Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022

Bryson Stott was a non-roster invitee to spring training last year, and made the Phillies' opening day roster following an impressive spring.  Batting just .133 after his first nine games, Stott was briefly sent back down to Lehigh Valley and he was recalled for good when Didi Gregorius went down with a left knee sprain on May 7th.  He'd assume regular shortstop duties for the remainder of the season, ultimately appearing in 127 games and batting .234.  In the postseason, Stott struggled at the plate, batting .136 (6 for 44) with three RBIs.

With the offseason signing of Trea Turner, Stott began the 2023 season as the team's regular second baseman, taking over the position from the departed Jean Segura.

2019 Chachi Almost #3

2022 Chachi #8

2022 Chachi Friendly Encounters #15

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2019 Bowman Draft #BD-79
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (2):  2022-2023
Newest Card Added to My Phillies Collection:  2023 Topps #295
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  42 as of 4/18/23.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2019 Chachi Almost #3 
2022 Chachi #8

2022 Chachi Friendly Encounters #15

2023 Chachi #6

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

2023 Chachi #5 Nick Castellanos / 2023 Chachi #7 Alec Bohm

Game 16 - Phillies Offense Unloads on Reds Pitching

2022 Bowman Heritage #84

Phillies 14, Reds 3
Game 16 - Sunday Afternoon, April 16th in Cincinnati
Record - 6-10, 4th Place, 6 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies didn't let up on Sunday afternoon, unleashing 23 hits and 14 runs and leaving Cincinnati in a winning mood.

What It Means:  A day after being shut out by the Reds, 13-0, the Phillies returned the favor (plus one extra run) in this thrashing.  The win gave them a four-game series split and they'll head to Chicago next to take on the White Sox, who also have a disappointing 6-10 record.

What Happened:  Bryson Stott started things off in the first, hitting his first career lead-off home run and extending his season-opening hitting streak to 16 games.  That ties Stott with Puddin' Head Jones for the longest Phillies hitting streak to open a season in the modern era, as Jones began the 1950 season hitting safely in his first 16 games.  Brandon Marsh had a four-hit day, while Stott, Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto and Alec Bohm all had three hits a piece.  Realmuto hit a seventh inning home run, his second of the season.

Aaron Nola was the recipient of the offense, earning his first win while pitching six strong innings.

Featured Card:  This Stott card arrived over the weekend, and it's from the recently released 2022 Bowman Heritage set, which pays tribute to the original 1994 Bowman design.

Transaction:  Luis F. Ortiz (rhp) was recalled from Lehigh Valley to take McKinley Moore's (rhp) spot on the roster.  Ortiz made his Phillies debut in the ninth, striking out a pair in a scoreless inning.

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

2023 Chachi #5 Nick Castellanos

#8

Nicholas Alexander Castellanos
Right Field

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  203
Opening Day Age:  31

Born:  March 4, 1992, Hialeah, FL
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, March 22, 2022

Contract Status:  Signed through 2026
Major League Teams:  Detroit Tigers 2013-2019; Chicago Cubs 2019; Cincinnati Reds 2020-2021; Philadelphia Phillies 2022-2023

World Series Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022

One of the steadier hitters in the game today, Nick Castellanos has batted over .260 in all but three of his 10 seasons in the major leagues.  He spent seven seasons with the Tigers, where he drove in a career high 101 runs and led the league with 10 triples in 2017.  With the Reds in 2021, Castellanos batted a career-best .309 with 34 home runs, attending his first All-Star Game and winning a postseason Silver Slugger Award.  He signed as a free agent with the Phillies prior to the 2022 season and by his own admittance, initially struggled with the transition to his new team and city.

Castellanos was a key factor, with both his bat and glove, when the Phillies advanced past the Braves in the 2022 NLDS.  He was the opening day designated hitter for the Phillies in 2022, and opened the season as the team's regular right fielder in 2023.

2022 Chachi New Additions #13

2022 Chachi #4

2022 Chachi #71

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2011 Topps Pro Debut #110
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (9):  2014-2022
Newest Card Added to My Phillies Collection:  2023 Topps Living Set #601
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  23 as of 4/16/23.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2022 Chachi New Additions #13 
2022 Chachi #4

2022 Chachi #71 - NLDS Game 1

2023 Chachi #5

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

2023 Chachi #4 Darick Hall / 2023 Chachi #6 Bryson Stott

Game 15 - Maybe This is the Low Point of the Season?

2022 Reading Fightin Phils
Holiday Top 10

Reds 13, Phillies 0
Game 15 - Saturday Afternoon, April 15th in Cincinnati
Record - 5-10, 4th Place, 6 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Nothing went right for the Phillies in this 13-0 thrashing by the Reds.

What It Means:  I didn't see a lot of this game, but what I did see included Phillies pitchers getting hit around, more questionable defense and more bad decisions on the base paths.

What Happened:  The only bright spot of this game was Bryson Stott extending his hitting streak to 15 games with a lead-off double.  It was downhill from there.  The Phillies offense managed four more hits, two from Edmundo Sosa.  (Sosa would later leave the game with a back injury.)  Matt Strahm started and went only 2 2/3 innings, departing after throwing 67 pitches and allowing three runs.  Andrew Bellatti and McKinley Moore couldn't stop the Reds, as those two relievers combined to give up five more runs in 2 1/3 innings.  Josh Harrison was called on to pitch the final inning, and the Reds tacked on five more runs off the veteran utility player.

Featured Card:  Moore looked great in spring training, but he's struggled mightily in his three appearances since getting recalled.  He's allowed at least a run each time, and after allowing three runs in today's game, his ERA shot up to 18.90.  The Reading Fightin Phils produced three cards for Moore last season, including this unnumbered card from what the team website called the Holiday Top Ten set.

Transaction:  And following the game, Moore was optioned down to Lehigh Valley.

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 14 - Walker Wins First with Phils

2023 Topps Now
World Baseball Classic #WBC-45

Phillies 8, Reds 3
Game 14 - Friday Night, April 14th in Cincinnati
Record - 5-9, 4th Place, 5 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Taijuan Walker won his first game with the Phillies, throwing six strong innings in this 8-3 victory.

What It Means:  For one night at least, the Phillies looked good all the way around and won easily.  I'm hoping for a few more of these no-doubt-about it wins in the coming weeks.

What Happened:  Walker allowed four hits and a run in his outing while striking out four.  Seranthony Dominguez continued his early season struggles, allowing a run in the seventh, but Jose Alvarado struck out the side in the eighth, making it look easy.  The offense collected hits when it needed them.  Early scoring came on an RBI double from Kyle Schwarber in the first and a solo home run from Edmundo Sosa in the second.  Nick Castellanos doubled home Schwarber in the third, with Brandon Marsh tripling home Castellanos shortly thereafter.  Marsh would come home on a J.T. Realmuto sacrifice fly, making it 5-0.  Three more runs crossed the plate in the ninth on a Realmuto double and a two-run single from Alec Bohm.

Featured Card:  We're still waiting for a Phillies baseball card for Walker, and this is his only baseball card to date from 2023.  Walker pitched for Mexico against Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic in March, striking out eight batters over four innings.  The print run for this card was only 317, making it fairly rare.

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

2023 Chachi #4 Darick Hall

#24

Darick Hall
First Base-Designated Hitter

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  232
Opening Day Age:  27

Born:  July 25, 1995, Hereford, AZ
Acquired:  Drafted by the Phillies in the 14th round of the 2016 amateur draft, June 11, 2016

Contract Status:  Signed through 2023, arbitration eligible in 2026
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022-2023

Darick Hall earned the opportunity to become the Phillies' regular first baseman when Rhys Hoskins went down in spring training with a season-ending knee injury.  Hall appeared in six games to start the season and then he himself went down too with a thumb injury following an awkward base running dive back to first base.  Surgery was performed on the thumb on Wednesday, and Hall be out at least a few months.

Hall had his contract selected last season on June 29th, replacing Johan Camargo on the roster.  He was with the club through August 22nd, and came up again on September 30th.  In 41 games, wearing #25, Hall batted .250 with nine home runs and 16 RBIs.  He swapped #25 for #24 following the off-season acquisition of reliever Matt Strahm.

2017 Chachi BlueClaws Signing Autographs #3

2022 Chachi #47

2023 Chachi Preview #2

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2018 Topps Pro Debut #185
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  2023
Newest Card Added to My Phillies Collection:  2023 Topps #209
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  19 as of 4/14/23.

Complete Chachi Checklist

2017 Chachi BlueClaws Signing Autographs #3
2022 Chachi #47

2023 Chachi Preview #2

2023 Chachi #4

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

2023 Chachi #3 J.T. Realmuto / 2023 Chachi #5 Nick Castellanos

Game 13 - Phils Off to Worst Start Since 2015

2015 Topps Heritage #411

Reds 6, Phillies 2
Game 13 - Thursday Night, April 13th in Cincinnati
Record - 4-9, Tied for 4th Place, 5 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies once again couldn't solve Reds' starting pitcher Nick Lodolo, dropping this series opener by a score of 6-2.

What It Means:  After sitting through our son Doug's high school baseball game, which went nearly three and a half hours, I wasn't in the mood to watch the Phillies lose another game to the Reds.  This game came and went in the background as we recuperating from another long day.

What Happened:  The Phillies got to Lodolo for two runs when Nick Castellanos singled in the first and Kyle Schwarber hit a solo home run in the fifth.  The offense was just 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.  Bailey Falter was tagged for five Reds runs in his 4+ innings of work, giving up eight hits.

Featured Card:  The 2015 Phillies also had a 4-9 record after 13 games, and manager Ryne Sandberg would decide he'd had enough in late June, quitting his post.  The team, led by interim manager Pete Mackanin for the rest of the season, would finish with a 63-99 record, the most losses since the club also lost 99 games in 1969.  The 2023 Phillies, at least on paper, are a lot better than the 2015 Phillies, and I optimistically believe this will not be a 99 loss season.

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 12 - Alvarado Falters in Loss to Marlins

2022 Topps Now
Road to Opening Day #OD-282

Marlins 3, Phillies 2 (10 Innings)
Game 12 - Wednesday Afternoon, April 12th in Philadelphia
Record - 4-8, 4th Place, 4 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler pitched well but a rare mistake from reliever Jose Alvarado and a lack of Phillies offense led to this 3-2, extra inning defeat.

What It Means:  The Phillies ended up dropping this series to the Marlins after a promising 15-run output on Monday night.  Four games with the Reds are up next, marking the final time the Reds and Phillies will face off in 2023.

What Happened:  Wheeler allowed a run on three hits in his six innings of work, and then yielded to Alvarado.  Alvarado had been nearly unhittable so far in 2023, and he escaped the seventh with no issues.  But in the eighth, he allowed a lead-off home run to Jorge Soler to tie the game at 2-2.  Craig Kimbrel allowed a single in the 10th to score ghost runner Soler, and the Marlins would eventually win, 3-2.

The Phillies offense had eight hits on the day, including an RBI single from Brandon Marsh in the fourth and an RBI double from Bryson Stott in the fifth.

Featured Card:  When Alvarado struck out Garrett Hampson to begin the seventh inning, it was his 11th consecutive strikeout.  Per a Tweet from Phillies Notes, he's the first relief pitcher since 1961 to strike out that many batters in a row.  Prior to this season, relievers Eric Gagne (in 2003) and Chad Green (2019) had struck out ten in a row.

Unbelievably, I show just two baseball cards in my Phillies collection for Alvarado.  He received a card in last season's team-issued photo card set, and this is his card from the 2022 Topps Now Road to Opening Day on-demand set.

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 11 - Fish and Arraez Pound Nola, Phils

2004 Topps #35

Marlins 8, Phillies 4
Game 11 - Tuesday Night, April 11th in Philadelphia
Record - 4-7, 4th Place, 3 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies fell to the Marlins, 8-4, as Aaron Nola had another rough outing and the Marlins' Luis Arraez hit for the first cycle in franchise history.

What It Means:  An incredibly busy week at work means I'm a few games behind, although I've not really missed much.

What Happened:  Nola's record dropped to 0-2 as he allowed four runs on nine hits while pitching into the sixth inning.  The usually steady Andrew Bellatti gave up three more Marlins runs in the eighth.  The Phillies got on the board in the sixth when Kyle Schwarber hit a solo home run, his third of the season.  Later in the inning, Bryson Stott would line a bases loaded single to left, scoring a pair of runs, but then Stott would get thrown out while circling too far off first base.  The Phillies have been a hot mess on the base paths so far this season.  J.T. Realmuto added an RBI double in the ninth, but it wasn't nearly enough to overcome the deficit.

Featured Card:  Arraez doubled in the first, tripled in the sixth and hit a home run off Connor Brogdon in the seventh.  He singled off Bellatti in the eighth to complete the cycle.  The last cycle from a Phillies player came way back on June 28, 2004 when current Reds' manager David Bell did it at Citizens Bank Park against the Expos.  Of course Topps Now wasn't around back then, and as far as I know, Bell's feat has never been celebrated on a baseball card.

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

Phillies at Reds: April 13th to April 16th

1965 Topps #489

1965 Topps #158

Thursday and Friday 6:40, Saturday 4:10, Sunday 1:40
Great American Ball Park - Cincinnati, OH

At the Ballpark:  There's a postgame fireworks show scheduled for Friday and on Saturday, all fans receive a cool-looking Great American Ball Park replica, celebrating 20 years of the ballpark.  It's also Jackie Robinson day on Saturday and all fans will receive a commemorative Jackie Robinson baseball card.  Finally, on Sunday, all kids will receive a Kids Sticker Sheet and all fans are invited to run the bases following the game.  (The Reds seem to have one of the strongest promotional schedules.)

Phillies 4-8
4th Place in the N.L. East, 4 1/2 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Bailey Falter (0-1, 2.61)
Taijuan Walker (0-1, 6.00)
Matt Strahm (1-0, 0.00)
Aaron Nola (0-2, 7.04)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryson Stott - .420
Runs:  Nick Castellanos - 11
Home Runs:  Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber - 3
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 11
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott and Trea Turner - 3

Wins:  Four tied with - 1
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 4.02

Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 18
Saves:  Craig Kimbrel - 1

Reds 4-7
5th Place in the N.L. Central, 3 1/2 games behind the Brewers

Reds Probables
Nick Lodolo (1-0, 1.50)
Connor Overton (0-0, 10.13)
Graham Ashcraft (1-0, 2.08)
Luis Cessa (0-1, 7.00)

Reds Leaders
Average:  TJ Friedl - .350
Runs:  Jonathan India - 12
Home Runs:  Jason Vosler - 3
RBIs:  Jake Fraley and Jason Vosler - 9
Stolen Bases:  Jake Fraley and Jonathan India - 2

Wins:  Four tied with - 1
ERA:  Nick Lodolo - 1.50
Strikeouts:  Hunter Greene - 23
Saves:  Three tied with - 1

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

2023 Chachi #3 J.T. Realmuto

#10

Jacob Tyler Realmuto
Catcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  212
Opening Day Age:  32

Born:  March 18, 1991, Del City, OK
Acquired:  Traded by the Marlins to the Phillies for Will Stewart, Jorge Alfaro, Sixto Sanchez and international bonus slot money, February 7, 2019

Contract Status:  Signed through 2025
Major League Teams:  Miami Marlins 2014-2018; Philadelphia Phillies 2019-2023

World Series Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022

Informally known in Philadelphia as the BCIB (best catcher in baseball), J.T. Realmuto already begins his fifth season with the Phillies after being acquired from the Marlins in February 2019.  He entered free agency following the 2020 season, re-signing with the Phillies for five years.  He's a three-time All-Star, a three-time Silver Slugger winner and a Gold Glove recipient in 2019 and 2022.  Realmuto enjoyed a career year for the National League Champions last year, batting .276 with career highs in home runs (22), RBIs (84) and stolen bases (21).  He started 130 out of 162 games last season behind the plate, and caught every inning of all 17 Phillies postseason games.

2019 Chachi #5

2019 Chachi Friendly Encounters #10

2020 Chachi #4

2021 Chachi #57

2022 Chachi #83

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2011 Topps Pro Debut
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (9):  2015-2023
Newest Card Added to My Phillies Collection:  2023 Topps #293
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  101 as of 4/11/23.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2019 Chachi New Additions #7
2019 Chachi #5
2019 Chachi #52 - All-Star
2019 Chachi #70 - Gold Glove
2019 Chachi Friendly Encounters #10
2020 Chachi #4
2021 Chachi #4 
2021 Chachi #49 - Weird Game HL 
2021 Chachi #57 - All-Star 
2021 Chachi Fan Favorites #4 
2022 Chachi #2

2022 Chachi #83 - World Series Game 1

2022 Chachi #87 - World Series Game 5

2022 Chachi #88 - World Series Game 6

2022 Chachi #89 - Gold Glove

2023 Chachi #3 

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

2023 Chachi #2 Kyle Schwarber / 2023 Chachi #4 Darick Hall

Game 10 - Offense Unloads on Fish

2022 Topps Archives #229

Phillies 15, Marlins 3
Game 10 - Monday Night, April 10th in Philadelphia
Record - 4-6, 3rd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Matt Strahm pitched five strong innings and the Phillies' offense jumped on the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner for nine runs in this 15-3 rout.

What It Means:  The Phillies will try to keep it going tonight as they inch closer to evening their won-loss record.

What Happened:  Strahm earned the win, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out six.  McKinley Moore (making his big league debut) and Andrew Vasquez navigated the rest of the game.  Four Phillies players had three hit nights - Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh.  Jake Cave, Bohm and Marsh all homered.  Marlins' starter Sandy Alcantara exited after four innings having allowed nine runs on 10 hits.

Featured Card:  Alec Bohm had quite the game with a pair of runs scored, three hits and six RBIs.  I have a feeling I'll be featuring quite a few of his cards during the 2023 season, which is fine as I have a backlog from 2022.  This is his card from the 2022 Topps Archives set, paying tribute to the 1987 Topps design, which Topps absolutely loves and completely overuses.

Field Report:  We attended our fourth game in a row, and that streak will be broken with the Tuesday night game as we take the night off from the ballpark.  We enjoyed the game from the Diamond Club, with Doug securing pregame autographs from the Marlins' Joey Wendle and the Phillies' Kody Clemens.  Normally, we would have avoided getting tickets for a Monday night game against the Marlins, but we wanted to be there to see Jean Segura receive his 2022 National League Champions ring and to welcome him in his return to Citizens Bank Park.

For the record, Doug also secured an autograph from Phillies' majority owner John Middleton as Alec Bohm was hitting his sixth inning home run.

Joey Wendle tosses Doug a signed ball

Jean Segura gets his ring

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

Marlins at Phillies: April 10th to April 12th

2014 Topps Heritage #146

1965 Topps #474

Monday and Tuesday 6:40, Wednesday 4:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  Tonight the Phillies will host their annual Asian Pacific Heritage Celebration, and Tuesday is the first Dollar Dog night of the year.

Marlins
3rd Place in the N.L. East, 2 games behind the Braves

Marlins Probables
Sandy Alcantara (1-0, 1.84)
Jesus Luzardo (1-0, 0.71)
Edward Cabrera (0-1, 5.40)

Marlins Leaders
Average:  Luis Arraez - .471
Runs:  Five tied with - 4
Home Runs:  Garrett Cooper and Jorge Soler - 3
RBIs:  Garrett Cooper - 7
Stolen Bases:  Three tied with - 2

Wins:  Four tied with - 1
ERA:  Jesus Luzardo - 0.71
Strikeouts:  Jesus Luzardo - 15
Saves:  A.J. Puk - 1

Phillies
4th Place in the N.L. East, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Matt Strahm (0-0, 0.00)
Aaron Nola (0-1, 7.45)
Zack Wheeler (0-1, 5.59)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryson Stott - .429
Runs:  Nick Castellanos - 6
Home Runs:  Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber - 2
RBIs:  Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber - 5
Stolen Bases:  Jake Cave - 2

Wins:  Three tied with - 1
ERA:  Bailey Falter - 2.61

Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 12
Saves:  Craig Kimbrel - 1

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 9 - Phils Get Rings; Blow Game Late

Reds 6, Phillies 4
Game 9 - Sunday Afternoon, April 9th in Philadelphia
Record - 3-6, 4th Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Baserunning blunders and a poor outing from Seranthony Dominguez led to this stunning 6-4 defeat by the Reds.

What It Means:  The Phillies won the series, but should have had the sweep.  The Marlins with Jean Segura come to town next for a three-game series beginning Monday night.

What Happened:  Baserunning blunders in the first, fourth and eighth innings by Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh and Kyle Schwarber, respectively took away runs or potential runs and eventually cost the Phillies the ballgame.  The pitching staff also gave up nine walks, led by five from starter Taijuan Walker and a costly pair from Dominguez that would prove to be the winning runs for the Reds.  Dominguez entered in the ninth trying to secure a save with the Phillies up 4-2.  He walked two batters, TJ Friedl reached on an infield single and then Jake Fraley hit a bases-clearing double to give the Reds the lead.

Alec Bohm broke a 2-2 tie in the fourth with a two-run home runs to left, scoring Bryson Stott.

Featured Cards/Field Report:  We watched the game from our seats in the Diamond Club, which I was told today has been rebranded the CP Rankin Club.  CP Rankin spent a ton of money I'm sure for the branding rights, all for me to continue to call it the Diamond Club.  In any event, the pregame ring ceremony was spectacular.  Every member of the current Phillies club was on hand to receive their rings, with the loudest ovations saved for the last two players out of the dugout - Rhys Hoskins and Bryce Harper.  There were also a number of players who appeared with the Phillies in 2022 who are still in the system receiving rings, including Simon Muzziotti, Damon Jones, Francisco Morales, Scott Kingery, Rafael Marchan, Will Toffey and Michael Plassmeyer.  The game itself was enjoyable . . . until the ninth inning.  And we even got a quick visit with the Phanatic, resulting in a very limited edition Chachi Special Edition insert card.

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

#34 Raising the 2022 Flag HL

Game 8 - Stott Walks It Off in the 9th

2023 Topps #295

Phillies 3, Reds 2
Game 8 - Saturday Afternoon, April 8th in Philadelphia
Record - 3-5, 3rd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth, capped by Bryson Stott's game-winning single, to stun the Reds in this 3-2 victory.

What It Means:  The Phillies will go for a series sweep this afternoon, with the entire 2022 team receiving their 2022 National League Champions rings in a pre-game ceremony.

What Happened:  Bailey Falter once again pitched effectively, but received no run support.  He went five innings, allowing a first inning solo home run and striking out a pair.  Andrew Bellatti, Connor Brogdon and Seranthony Dominguez all pitched scoreless innings of relief with Bellatti appearing in his sixth game already this season.

The Phillies offense was quiet against Reds' starter Nick Lodolo and reliever Alexis Diaz for eight innings.  Lodolo allowed three hits and struck out 12, with Diaz striking out the side in the eighth.  But in the ninth, with the Reds up 2-0, Nick Castellanos walked to start the inning and went to second on a wild pitch.  Alec Bohm singled to put runners on the corners and pinch-hitter Brandon Marsh singled Castellanos home.  Bohm came home on an Edmundo Sosa sacrifice fly to tie up the game, and Marsh stole second setting up Stott's heroics.  Stott singled to right with Marsh easily scoring and kicking off the first of hopefully many postgame Phillies celebrations.

Featured Card:  Here's Stott's card from Topps Series One, and it's his first 2023 card added to my collection.

Field Report:  Doug and I enjoyed this relatively quick game from Section 315.  We noticed the pace of the game was a little too fast for our liking.  Given the sell-out crowd, when we left our seats in the third inning to get food, we waited in long lines for our Bull's BBQ, and missed almost the entire middle section of the game.  This is definitely something we're not used to.  Big crowds and quicker games means we need to be more strategic with our food planning.

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 7 - Phils Raise the '22 Flag, Win '23 Home Opener

Phillies 5, Reds 2
Game 7 - Friday Afternoon, April 7th in Philadelphia
Record - 2-5, 4th Place, 3 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  J.T. Realmuto broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run seventh inning home run, and the Phillies went on to win their 2023 home opener, 5-2.

What It Means:  Nothing but good vibes.

What Happened:  Zack Wheeler had a decent outing, going 5 1/3 innings and allowing a pair of runs on five hits.  The bullpen shut down the Reds the rest of the way behind Andrew Bellatti, Gregory Soto, Jose Alvarado and Craig Kimbrel, who earned his first save with the Phillies.

The Phillies scored first when Brandon Marsh drew a bases loaded walk in the second to score Nick Castellanos.  Kyle Schwarber doubled home Trea Turner in the fifth, scoring Turner from first base.  With the score tied up in the seventh, Realmuto connected for his first home run of the season.  Pinch-hitter Edmundo Sosa added an insurance run when he homered in the eighth.

Field Report/Featured Card:  We were happy to attend the home opener and our first Phillies game as a foursome since World Series Game 4, which was terrible.  We were cold, but the pregame ceremonies once again did not disappoint with the team making their way to the field via the outfield bleachers, Kane Kalas doing a phenomenal job with the National Anthem and a huge American flag once again being unfurled to cover the entire outfield.  

Following the introductions of both teams, with members of the 2022 Phillies team getting the loudest ovations, the Phillies gave us the coolest moment of the day.  Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins, both injured, were ready in Ashburn Alley to raise the team's blue 2022 pennant.  We realized it could possibly be one of the last times we see Hoskins in a Phillies uniform, as he'll miss the entire season following his knee surgery.

Transaction:  Before the game, Darick Hall (1b-dh) was placed on the injured list with a right thumb sprain and Kody Clemens (inf) was recalled from the IronPigs.

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

#33 Kody Clemens / #35 Ring Ceremony HL

Reds at Phillies: April 7th to April 9th

2014 Topps Heritage #432

1965 Topps #352

Friday 3:05, Saturday 4:05, Sunday 1:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  This afternoon is the home opener with all fans receiving a 2022 National League Champions banner.  Saturday is "opening night" and all fans 15 and over will receive a National League Champions t-shirt.  And on Sunday, the Phillies will receive their Championship rings in a pregame ceremony, with fans able to take pictures with the Championship trophy in the first base plaza.

Reds 3-2
3rd Place in the N.L. Central, 1 1/2 games behind the Brewers

Reds Probables
Hunter Greene (0-0, 8.10)
Nick Lodolo (1-0, 3.60)
Graham Ashcraft (1-0, 1.29)

Reds Leaders
Average:  Jonathan India - .389
Runs:  Jonathan India - 7
Home Runs:  Jason Vosler - 3
RBIs:  Jason Vosler - 7
Stolen Bases:  Jonathan India - 1

Wins:  Three tied with - 1
ERA:  Graham Ashcraft - 1.29
Strikeouts:  Nick Lodolo - 9
Saves:  Alexis Diaz and Derek Law - 1

Phillies 1-5
4th Place in the N.L. East, 4 1/2 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (0-1, 8.31)
Bailey Falter (0-1, 3.38)
Taijuan Walker (0-1, 8.31)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryson Stott - .435
Runs:  Nick Castellanos - 4
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 2
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 4
Stolen Bases:  Three tied with - 1

Wins:  Andrew Bellatti - 1
ERA:  Aaron Nola - 7.45

Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 9
Saves:  N/A

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist