Series Preview - Brewers at Phillies: June 8th to June 10th

1978 Topps #595

1978 Topps #271

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

Brewers 37-25, 1st place in the N.L. Central, 1/2 game ahead of the Cubs
Phillies 32-28, 3rd place in the N.L. East, 3 games behind the Braves and Nationals

Brewers Probables:  Jhoulys Chacin (4-1, 3.39), Brent Suter (5-4, 4.55), TBD
Phillies Probables:  Vince Velasquez (4-6, 3.82), Jake Arrieta (5-3, 2.66), Zach Eflin (2-2, 3.74)

At the Ballpark:  It's 1990s Retro Night tonight and the Phillies are encouraging all fans to dress in their '90s fashions.  On Saturday, the Phillies will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1993 N.L. Championship team and there will be photo opportunities throughout the ballpark with alumni.  Sunday is Father's Appreciation Day with all men 15 and over receiving a John Kruk 1990s batting practice pullover shirt.  There will also be a pre-game salute to the 1993 Phillies team.

Brewers Leaders
Average:  Christian Yelich - .301
Runs:  Christian Yelich - 37
Home Runs:  Travis Shaw - 14
RBIs:  Travis Shaw - 38
Stolen Bases:  Lorenzo Cain - 11

Wins:  Jeremy Jeffress and Brent Suter - 5
ERA:  Jhoulys Chacin - 3.39
Strikeouts:  Josh Hader - 69
Saves:  Josh Hader - 6

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Odubel Herrera - .305
Runs:  Cesar Hernandez - 41
Home Runs:  Carlos Santana - 9
RBIs:  Carlos Santana - 35
Stolen Bases:  Cesar Hernandez - 10

Wins:  Aaron Nola - 7
ERA:  Aaron Nola - 2.35
Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 80
Saves:  Hector Neris - 9

Game 60 - 2014 Leaf Memories 1986 Leaf Buyback #139 Bob Dernier

Cubs 4, Phillies 3
Game 60 - Thursday Afternoon, June 7th in Chicago
Record - 32-28, 3rd place, 3 games behind the Braves and Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Missed chances, close plays and a lack of clutch hitting doomed the Phillies in this 4-3 loss.

What It Means:  No, the Phillies didn't earn a bump in the standings into second place.  The Nationals have passed them by and are now tied for the top spot in the division with the Braves.  The Phils limp home after a lackluster 3-7 road trip only to face off against the first place Brewers.

What Happened:  The Cubs scored the winning run on a controversial play at the plate in which Jorge Alfaro was ruled to have blocked Albert Almora, Jr. from scoring on a sacrifice fly.  The offense went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base.

Featured Card:  I need a pick-me-up, so here's a cool card from my Bob Dernier collection showing the former Phillies and Cubs outfielder connecting for a single (probably) at the Friendly Confines.

Game 59 - 2017 Bowman Platinum Top Prospects #TP-DC Dylan Cozens

Cubs 7, Phillies 5
Game 59 - Wednesday Night, June 6th in Chicago
Record - 32-27, 3rd place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Dylan Cozens' first career home run in the 9th was all for naught as Jason Heyward hit a walk-off grand slam off Adam Morgan to deliver the 7-5 win for the Cubs.

What It Means:  I really didn't want to go back, look at the box score for this game, and compose a post.  This is an example of a game I'd rather just skip.

What Happened:  Cozens' blast (1) gave the Phillies a momentary, euphoric 5-3 lead heading into the bottom of the 9th.  Seranthony Dominguez showed he was human allowing a walk and a single before he was lifted in favor of Morgan.  With the bases loaded, Heyward didn't miss the meatball Morgan put on a tee for him to launch into right-center field.

Aaron Altherr hit a 2-run home run (6) in the 6th and Aaron Nola allowed 3 runs on 4 hits over 6 innings pitched.

Featured Card:  I'll still give Cozens the card since the Phillies should have won this game.

Transaction:  J.P. Crawford was activated from the disabled list and Mitch Walding was sent back down to Lehigh Valley.

2018 Chachi #25 Hector Neris

#50
Hector Neris
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'2"  Weight:  227
Opening Day Age:  28
Born:  June 14, 1989, Villa Altagracia, DR
Signed:  Signed as an amateur free agent, April 29, 2010
Teams:  Phillies 2014-
Acquired:  Via free agency

2011 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #10

2014 Chachi #59

2015 Topps Heritage #401

2016 Topps Update #US595

14 Neris Baseball Cards in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2011 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #10
First Phillies Card:  2015 Topps Heritage #401
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2016 Topps Update #US595
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2016 Phillies Team Issue 2 #50
Newest Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue 2 #50

2016 Phillies Team Issue 2 #50

First Mention on The Phillies Room:  March 31, 2014 - Phillies Spring Training Leaders - Saves:  Shawn Camp, Cesar Jimenez and Hector Neris - 1

Second Mention on The Phillies Room:  August 4, 2014 - Phillippe Aumont and his 19.06 ERA found their way back to Lehigh Valley following Friday night's game and pitcher Hector Neris was recalled to take his place.  Neris will be card #59 in the rapidly expanding 2014 Chachi set.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2014 Chachi #59
2015 Chachi #35
2016 Chachi #23
2016 Chachi #71 - Leading Firemen (with Jeanmar Gomez and Michael Mariot)
2016 Chachi Archives #11
2016 Chachi Photo Day #11
2016 Chachi Fan Appreciation Day #3
2017 Chachi #24
2017 Chachi Archives #5
2017 Chachi Photo Night #11
2017 Chachi Fan Favorites #23
2018 Chachi #25

Card statistics through 5/31/18.

2018 Chachi #24 Luis Garcia

#57
Luis A. Garcia
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  237
Opening Day Age:  31

Born:  January 30, 1987, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Signed:  Signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent, January 22, 2004

Teams:  Phillies 2013-

Acquired:  Signed as minor league free agent, formerly with the Newark Bears of the independent Canadian-American Association, March 25, 2013

2013 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs Update #8

2013 Chachi #49

2014 Topps #451

15 Garcia Baseball Cards in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2013 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs Update #8
First Phillies Card:  2014 Topps #451
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2014 Topps #451
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2015 Phillies Team Issue #57
Newest Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue 2 #57

2015 Phillies Team Issue #57

First Mention on The Phillies Room:  July 14, 2013 - Garcia's 2013 Chachi Card

Second Mention on The Phillies Room:  July 27, 2013 - I wanted to acknowledge the Major League debut of Steve Susdorf in Thursday night's game.  Susdorf got the call when Domonic Brown was placed on the relatively new seven-day disabled list, available specifically for players with concussion-like symptoms.

Susdorf pinch-hit for Kendrick in the seventh inning and promptly grounded into an inning-ending double play.  Welcome to the team, Steve - you'll fit right in!

But seriously folks . . . It's nice to see Susdorf get his shot after parts of six seasons in the minors.  Drafted by the Phillies in 2008, Susdorf was hitting .335 in Lehigh Valley this season.  He hasn't appeared on any mainstream baseball cards yet in his career, but I have five minor league cards of his in my collection.  Unless Topps decides to include him a set, he'll mostly likely join Ezequiel Carrera, John McDonald and Luis Garcia as members of the 2013 Phillies without a Phillies baseball card.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2013 Chachi #49
2014 Chachi #37
2015 Chachi #21
2016 Chachi #38
2016 Chachi Fan Appreciation Day #2
2017 Chachi #35
2017 Chachi Photo Night #12
2018 Chachi #24

Card statistics through 5/31/18.

Game 58 - 2016 Topps Heritage High Numbers #659 Zach Eflin

Phillies 6, Cubs 1
Game 58 - Tuesday Night, June 5th in Chicago
Record - 32-26, 3rd place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Zach Eflin threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings and Nick Williams supplied a two-run home run in this 6-1 win over the Cubs.

What It Means:  The three-game losing streak is over and the Phillies scored more than two runs in a game for the first time in a week.

What Happened:  Eflin departed right after allowing a two-out double to Anthony Rizzo, allowing the Cubs to plate their only run.  Seranthony Dominguez continued his dominance, throwing yet another scoreless inning.  The struggling Aaron Altherr knocked in a pair of runs with a sacrifice fly in the 3rd and a single in the 9th.

2018 Phillies Team Issue 2 #33

Featured Card:  If you're looking for a mainstream baseball card for Eflin, this may be your only option from the 2016 Topps Heritage High Numbers release.  Eflin has appeared on a number of team-issued and minor league cards and he was granted two Topps Now cards in 2016.

Transaction:  Drew Hutchison has elected free agency after clearing waivers and declining an outright assignment to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.  Hutchison becomes the first of this year's in-season player departures and he leaves behind two team-issued photo cards to mark his 11 games and 21 1/3 innings pitched with the Phillies.

Departed During the 2018 Season
Drew Hutchison (6/5/18) - Designated for assignment and elected free agency.

2018 Chachi #23 Pat Neshek

#93
Patrick Neshek
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Switch  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  221
Opening Day Age:  37
Born:  September 4, 1980, Madison, WI
Drafted:  Selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 6th round of the June 2002 draft
Teams:  Minnesota Twins 2006-2008, 2010; San Diego Padres 2011; Oakland Athletics 2012-2013; St. Louis Cardinals 2014; Houston Astros 2015-2016; Phillies 2017; Colorado Rockies 2017; Phillies 2018
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent formerly with the Colorado Rockies, December 15, 2017

2007 Topps #29

2017 Topps #272

2017 Topps Heritage #71

2017 Chachi #23

13 Neshek Baseball Cards in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2007 Topps #29

First Card:  2017 Topps #272

First Phillies Card:  2017 Topps Heritage #71
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #17
Newest Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue 2 #93

2017 Phillies Team Issue #17

First Mention on The Phillies Room:  November 5, 2016 - Here's the First Pat Neshek (Unofficial) Phillies Card . . . I get inordinately excited whenever the Phillies make offseason player moves, and the first acquisition of the 2016-2017 offseason was announced yesterday.  The Phillies acquired reliever, and fellow baseball card collector, Pat Neshek from the Houston Astros for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

An All-Star in 2014, Neshek has pitched for 10 seasons with the Twins, Padres, Athletics, Cardinals and Astros.  His most recent mainstream baseball cards can be found within the 2016 Topps flagship and 2016 Topps Heritage sets.  Neshek will have to find a new number for 2017, as the #37 he wore with the Astros is currently occupied by Odubel Herrera.

He's the first card in the 2017 Chachi New Additions set, and I've added him to the Phillies Virtual Wall, which now stands at 32 players.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi New Additions #1
2017 Chachi #23
2017 Chachi #47 AS
2017 Chachi Archives #11
2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #9
2017 Chachi Photo Night #7
2017 Chachi Fan Favorites #17
2018 Chachi New Additions #2
2018 Chachi #23

Card statistics through 5/31/18.

Series Preview - Phillies at Cubs: June 5th to June 7th

1978 Topps #90

1978 Topps #152

Tuesday and Wednesday 8:05, Thursday 2:20
Wrigley Field - Chicago, IL

Phillies 31-26, 3rd place in the N.L. East, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves
Cubs 33-23, 2nd place in the N.L. Central, 2 games behind the Brewers

Phillies Probables:  Zach Eflin (1-2, 4.50), Aaron Nola (7-2, 2.18), Nick Pivetta (4-4, 3.48)
Cubs Probables:  Kyle Hendricks (4-4, 3.19), Jose Quintana (6-4, 4.30), Tyler Chatwood (3-4, 4.02)

At the Ballpark:  Tonight, the first 10,000 adults (age 21 or older) will receive a Cubs cocktail glass.  Tomorrow night's giveaway is a Wrigley Field scoreboard clock.

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Odubel Herrera - .305
Runs:  Cesar Hernandez - 38
Home Runs:  Carlos Santana - 9
RBIs:  Carlos Santana - 33
Stolen Bases:  Cesar Hernandez - 10

Wins:  Aaron Nola - 7
ERA:  Aaron Nola - 2.18
Strikeouts:  Vince Velasquez - 79
Saves:  Hector Neris - 9

Cubs Leaders
Average:  Albert Almora, Jr. - .317
Runs:  Javier Baez - 35
Home Runs:  Javier Baez - 14
RBIs:  Javier Baez - 45
Stolen Bases:  Javier Baez - 8

Wins:  Jon Lester and Jose Quintana - 6
ERA:  Jon Lester - 2.44
Strikeouts:  Jon Lester - 61
Saves:  Brandon Morrow - 14

2018 Chachi #22 Edubray Ramos

#61
Edubray Eduar Ramos Garces
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'11"  Weight:  225
Opening Day Age:  25
Born:  December 19, 1992, Caracas, VZ
Signed:  Signed as an amateur free agent, November 21, 2012
Teams:  Phillies 2016-
Acquired:  Via free agency

2015 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #22

2016 Chachi #48

9 Ramos Baseball Cards in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2015 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #22
First Phillies Card:  2016 Phillies Team Issue 2 Update #61
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2016 Phillies Team Issue 2 Update #61
Newest Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue 2 #61

2016 Phillies Team Issue 2 Update #61

First Mention on The Phillies Room:  November 21, 2015 - Three Prospects Added to 40-Man Roster . . . The week before Thanksgiving is when all teams start to cobble together their 40-man roster in anticipation of the December Rule 5 draft.  I've tracked these pre-Thanksgiving additions over the past six years . . .

As I disclaim every year, I'm by no means an expert on prospects, but I can give you some information on the new additions' baseball card appearances to date.

Edubray Ramos (rhp) - Ramos split last season between Clearwater and Reading, earning a 2.07 ERA over 47 games and 69 2/3 innings pitched.  He had 65 strikeouts to just 16 walks over that span. To date, Ramos' only baseball card (that I know of) can be found in last year's Threshers team set.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2016 Chachi #48
2016 Chachi Photo Day #33
2017 Chachi #21
2018 Chachi #22

Card statistics through 5/31/18.

Phils Select Wichita State 3B with 3rd Pick in Draft

2018 Chachi Almost #6

Tonight, the Phillies selected third baseman Alec Bohm as their top pick and third overall in the annual amateur player draft.  Bohm, 21,  is a junior from Wichita State and he hit .332 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs this past season.  Most early reports I've read on him are saying he projects long-term as either a first baseman or a corner outfielder.

As has been the tradition the past four drafts, Bohm earns a Chachi Almost card and hopefully we'll see him in red pinstripes soon.

Memory Lane
2014 Draft - Aaron Nola
2015 Draft - Cornelius Randolph
2016 Draft - Mickey Moniak
2017 Draft - Adam Haseley
2018 Draft - Alec Bohm

Game 57 - 1957 Topps #404 Harry Anderson

Giants 6, Phillies 1
Game 57 - Sunday Afternoon, June 3rd in San Francisco
Record - 31-26, 3rd place, 3 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  To borrow from Phillies starting pitcher Jake Arrieta, "Overall it's just a really horse[bleep] series."

What It Means:  The Phillies have scored 1 run in their last 29 innings, and that run came on a solo home run from pitcher Arrieta in the 3rd inning of this game.  The offense went 0 for 17 with runners in scoring position in the series.  They'll have an off-day in Chicago on Monday before opening a three-game set with the 2nd place Cubs, who have a four-game winning streak and have won 8 of their last 10.

What Happened:  Arrieta seemed to be in control until a five-run 6th inning from the Giants, capped by a three-run home run from Andrew McCutchen.  After the game, he put partial blame on the defensive shifts the Phillies have employed, stating that "We need to have an accountability check."  It probably also doesn't help that the Phillies offense couldn't hit water at this point if they fell out of a boat.

Featured Card:  I'm at a loss, but I agree with Arrieta's horse[bleep] assessment.  Here's a vintage 1957 Topps card of Harry Anderson, who had the nickname of Harry the Horse during his playing days.

Game 56 - 2018 Topps Gypsy Queen #195 Vince Velasquez

Giants 2, Phillies 0
Game 56 - Late Saturday Night, June 2nd in San Francisco
Record - 31-25, 3rd place, 2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Vince Velasquez pitched a fantastic game, but the Phillies offense went quietly into the night against Andrew Suarez and two Giants relievers.

What It Means:  Where are the bats?

What Happened:  Andrew McCutchen scored the Giants runs on a fielder's choice in the 6th and a sacrifice fly in the 8th.  The Phillies offense had three hits, one a 3rd inning triple from Jorge Alfaro.

Featured Card:  Velasquez allowed a run on five hits through 6 1/3 innings, striking out nine in the process.  He owns a 2.14 ERA over his past six starts.

2018 Chachi #21 Hoby Milner

#55
Hoby Trey Milner
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Left  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  177
Opening Day Age:  27
Born:  January 13, 1991, Ft. Worth, TX
Drafted:  Selected by the Phillies in the 7th round of the June 2012 draft
Teams:  Phillies 2017-
Acquired:  Via draft

2012 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #15

2017 Chachi #44

14 Milner Baseball Cards in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2012 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #15
First Phillies Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue Update #55
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue Update #55
Newest Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue 2 #55

2017 Phillies Team Issue Update #55

First Mention on The Phillies Room:  March 16, 2016 - . . . I'm not sure what I find this so intriguing, but the Phillies have updated their online roster page with the names and numbers of those minor leaguers who get invited to accompany the big team on any given day.  Here's the updated list, which includes some additions from last week's list:

#86 Nick Fanti - lhp
#87 Jose Mayorga - c (new)
#88 Andrew Amaro - inf
#88 Greg Brodzinski - c (new)
#88 Andrew Pullin - of
#89 Hoby Milner - lhp (new) . . .

Second Mention on The Phillies Room:  December 9, 2016 - Four Players Depart the Phillies Organization:  Finally, the Phillies lost minor league pitcher Hoby Milner to the Indians in the Rule 5 draft on Thursday morning. Milner has been with the organization since 2012 and he split last season between Double-A and Triple-A.  His likely final Phillies-related baseball card was released a few weeks ago in the Reading Fightin Phils Holiday set.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi #44
2018 Chachi #21

Card statistics through 5/31/18.

Game 55 - 2018 Bowman Prospects #BP63 Dylan Cozens

Giants 4, Phillies 0
Game 55 - Late Friday Night, June 1st in San Francisco
Record - 31-24, 3rd place, 2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Chris Stratton and three Giants relievers struck out 13 Phillies and held the offense to six hits in this 4-0 loss.

What It Means:  The Phillies have scored three runs in their past three games.  It's time for a break-out game.

What Happened:  Nick Pivetta labored through four innings of work, allowing three runs on five hits.  The struggles of Hector Neris continued as he allowed three hits and uncorked three wild pitches in his lone inning of work.  Scott Kingery had a pair of hits to raise his average to .226.

Featured Card:  Wearing #25, Dylan Cozens made his big league debut, starting in right field.  He singled on the first pitch he saw from Stratton, but struck out in his other two at-bats.  This is his newest card from the recent Bowman release.

2018 Chachi #20 Victor Arano

#64
Victor Teodoro Arano
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'2"  Weight:  220
Opening Day Age:  23
Born:  February 7, 1995, Veracruz, Mexico
Signed:  Signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent, April 4, 2013
Teams:  Phillies 2017-
Acquired:  Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers with Jesmuel Valentin for Roberto Hernandez, August 28, 2014

2015 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #1

2015 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #BCAP-VA

2017 Chachi #62

12 Arano Baseball Cards in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2015 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #1
First Phillies Card:  2015 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #BCAP-VA
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue #64
Newest Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue 2 #64

2018 Phillies Team Issue #64

First (Indirect) Mention on The Phillies Room:  August 8, 2014 - Transaction:  Early yesterday afternoon, the Phillies finally announced their first semi-major deal of the season, sending starting pitcher Roberto Hernandez to the Dodgers for two players to be named later or cash.  Hernandez is currently tied for the team lead in wins with six.  Unless he appears as a Phillie in the Topps Update set, Hernandez's sole Phillies card will be his oversized card in the team issued set.

First (Actual) Mention on The Phillies Room:  October 9, 2014 - Final Look at 2013-2014 Phillies Transactions . . .

Departed During the Season

Jayson Nix (5/12/14) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed with the Tampa Bay Rays organization.)

Ronny Cedeno (6/29/14) - Traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for catcher Raywilly Gomez.

Steve Susdorf (7/10/14) - Released by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Roberto Hernandez (8/7/14) - Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two players to be named later or cash.  (Phillies would later receive Jesmuel Valentin and Victor Arano.)
John Mayberry, Jr. (8/31/14) - Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Gustavo Pierre

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi #62
2018 Chachi #20

Card statistics through 5/28/18.

Series Preview - Phillies at Giants: June 1st to June 3rd

1978 Topps #610

1978 Topps #194

Friday 10:15, Saturday 10:05 and Sunday 4:05
AT&T Park - San Francisco, CA

Phillies 31-23, 3rd place in the N.L. East, 1 game behind the Braves
Giants 26-30, Tied for 3rd place in the N.L. West, 4 games behind the Rockies

Phillies Probables:  Nick Pivetta (4-3, 3.26), Vince Velasquez (4-5, 4.08), Jake Arrieta (5-2, 2.16)
Giants Probables:  Chris Stratton (6-3, 4.97), Andrew Suarez (1-4, 5.65), TBD

At the Ballpark:  On Saturday night, the first 20,000 fans will receive a retro Giants fanny pack.  The first 35,000 fans on Sunday will receive a Willie McCovey bobble head.

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Odubel Herrera - .313
Runs:  Cesar Hernandez - 38
Home Runs:  Carlos Santana - 9
RBIs:  Carlos Santana - 33
Stolen Bases:  Cesar Hernandez - 10

Wins:  Aaron Nola - 7
ERA:  Jake Arrieta - 2.16
Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 74
Saves:  Hector Neris - 9

Giants Leaders
Average:  Brandon Belt - .309
Runs:  Brandon Belt - 32
Home Runs:  Brandon Belt - 11
RBIs:  Brandon Belt - 31
Stolen Bases:  Andrew McCutchen - 4

Wins:  Chris Stratton - 6
ERA:  Derek Holland - 4.94
Strikeouts:  Derek Holland and Chris Stratton - 48
Saves:  Hunter Strickland - 11

Game 54 - 2017 Topps Finest Breakthroughs #FB-AN Aaron Nola

Phillies 2, Dodgers 1
Game 54 - Thursday Night, May 31st in Los Angeles
Record - 31-23, 3rd place, 1 game behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola and Seranthony Dominguez turned in dominating pitching performances in this 2-1 win over the Dodgers.

What It Means:  The Phils split the series in L.A., and now they'll open up a three-game set in San Francisco.

What Happened:  Nola secured his 7th win, throwing 7 solid innings and allowing just a run on two hits.  He also struck out 7.  Dominguez closed out the final two innings to record his 2nd save.

The Phillies scored their first run when Jorge Alfaro singled home Maikel Franco, but Franco never came close to touching home plate.  The umpire called him safe, the Dodgers didn't appeal, and the run stood.  Alfaro doubled home the tie-breaking run in the 7th to score Scott Kingery.

Featured Card:  Nola is rightfully earning national attention with his recent performance and his ERA is now down to 2.18.  Here's an insert card from last season and it seems appropriate for this post.

Transactions:  The Phillies made a few roster moves prior to this game.  First, and as expected, Rhys Hoskins landed on the disabled list with a broken jaw.  Dylan Cozens was recalled from the IronPigs to take his place on the roster.

The Phillies also recalled reliever Mark Leiter, Jr. and designated Drew Hutchison for assignment.  In 11 games for the Phillies, Hutchison owned a 4.64 ERA over 21 1/3 innings pitched.  He had been used as the team's long-man and he could end up in Triple-A if he clears waivers.

2018 Chachi #19 Adam Morgan

#46

Adam Christopher Morgan

Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Left  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  208
Opening Day Age:  28

Born:  February 27, 1990, Tampa, FL

Drafted:  Selected by the Phillies in the 3rd round of the June 2011 draft

Teams:  Phillies 2015-

Acquired:  Via draft

2012 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #23

2013 Bowman Chrome Cream of the Crop #CC-PP5

2015 Chachi #45

2016 Topps #610

18 Morgan Baseball Cards in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2012 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #23
First Phillies Card:  2013 Bowman Chrome Cream of the Crop Mini Refractors #CC-PP5
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2016 Phillies Team Issue #39
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2016 Topps #610
Newest Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue 2 #46

2016 Phillies Team Issue #39

First Mention on The Phillies Room:  January 29, 2013 - 2013 Non-Roster Invitees - 7 More Added . . . A sure sign that we're getting closer to pitchers and catchers reporting is that the official number of non-roster invitees now stands at 19.  Last week, the Phillies added five of their top prospects to the list of players who will wear numbers in the 60s and 70s while hoping to impress Charlie Manuel and the rest of the coaching staff.  They also added outfielder Joe Mather, who spent 2012 with the Cubs, and infielder Yuniesky Betancourt, who had a rough year last year with the Royals before earning his release in August.

For me, the most intriguing names on the list are Cody Asche and Tommy Joseph.  Asche is the heir apparent at third base for the Phillies and if all goes according to plan, he'll be manning the hot corner in 2014.  With Clearwater and Reading last season, he hit .324 with 12 home runs and 72 RBIs. Joseph was acquired from the Giants in the Hunter Pence deal and MLB.com named him the organization's top position player.

13.  Cody Asche (3b) - Phillies - 2012 Topps Heritage Minors #115 (Phillies)

14.  Justin Friend (rhp) - Phillies - 2012 Topps Heritage Minors #153 (Phillies)

15.  Tommy Joseph (c) - Giants/Phillies - 2012 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP100 (Giants)

16.  Joe Mather (of) - Cubs - 2012 Topps Update #US25 (Cubs)

17.  Adam Morgan (lhp) - Phillies - 2012 Topps Heritage Minors #128 (Phillies)

18.  Kyle Simon (rhp) - Orioles/Phillies - 2012 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP56 (Orioles)
19.  Yuniesky Betancourt (inf) - Royals - 2012 Topps Update #US47 (Royals)

Complete Chachi Checklist
2015 Chachi #45
2015 Chachi Special Edition #12
2016 Chachi #39
2017 Chachi #19
2017 Chachi Photo Night #26
2018 Chachi #19

Card statistics through 5/27/18.