Game 79 - Phils Fall Short, Wasting Ranger's Pitching Gem

Philadelphia Phillies	0
Houston Astros	1

2024 Topps
Golden Mirror #661

Tuesday Night, June 24th

Daikin Park - Houston, TX
47-32, 1st Place, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies wasted a stellar pitching performance from Ranger Suarez in this 1-0 loss to the Astros.

What It Means:  Where's the offense?

What Happened:  Ranger Suarez dropped to 6-2 and his ERA went down to 2.08 as he allowed just a run on four hits, while striking out seven in 7 2/3 innings of work.  He allowed a solo home run to Cooper Hummel in the bottom of the eighth inning for the only run of the game.  The Phillies were once again handled by Astros' starter Framber Valdez, collecting only four hits, and going 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

Featured Card:  Phillies Room favorite Whit Merrifield announced his retirement from baseball, having last played in 42 games for the Braves last season after his release by the Phillies.  I was thrilled when the Phillies signed Merrifield, but it didn't pan out for him here, as he batted .199 in 53 games before the team released him last July 12th.  In his retirement announcement, Merrifield addressed the Phillies fans, saying, "Philly, I liked you way more than you like me.  Sorry I stunk for you."  All the best in your retirement, Whit!

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2024 Chachi #13 Whit Merrifield

#9 / Whitley David Merrifield / Outfield-Second Base

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  195
Opening Day Age:  35

Born:  January 24, 1989, Florence, SC
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies, February 19, 2024

Major League Teams:  Kansas City Royals 2016-22; Toronto Blue Jays 2022-23; Philadelphia Phillies 2024; Atlanta Braves 2024

Postseason Appearances:  Toronto Blue Jays 2022-23

2024 Philadelphia Phillies
Kids Club / Club 215

I was thrilled when the Phillies signed Whit Merrifield in February to serve as a super utility player and likely the first bat off the bench for manager Rob Thomson.  Merrifield had long been a favorite player of our oldest son Doug, as Doug also prides himself on being able to play pretty much any position on the diamond.  Unfortunately, Merrifield never quite got it going offensively.  After hitting his peak on May 4th with a .250 average, Merrifield batted .173 over his next 36 games, causing the Phillies to release him on July 12th.  The Braves would sign him 10 days later, and Merrifield fared a little better in Atlanta, batting .248 in 42 games.  In his short, 53-game career with the Phillies, Merrifield, still a Phillies Room Favorite, batted .199 with three home runs and 11 RBIs.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2016 Topps Heritage #683
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (7):  2018-24
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Philadelphia Phillies Kids Club / Club 215
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  3 as of 12/21/24, 3 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist

2024 Chachi #13

2024 Chachi Series Previews #6

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2024 Chachi #12 Edmundo Sosa / 2024 Chachi #14 Cristian Pache

Phillies at Blue Jays - September 3rd to September 4th

2024 Chachi 1984 Topps Missing Links #4

2024 Chachi Series Preview #6

Tuesday 7:07 and Wednesday 3:07
Rogers Centre - Toronto, Ontario

At the Ballpark:  On Tuesday, the Blue Jays are hosting a "Loonie Dogs Night" which is their version of the popular dollar dog promotion.

Philadelphia Phillies 81-56
5th Place in the N.L. East, 7 games ahead of the Braves

Phillies Probables
Tyler Phillips (4-1, 5.50)
Cristopher Sanchez (9-9, 3.49)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Trea Turner - .299
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 88
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 28
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 89
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 29

Wins:  Zack Wheeler - 13
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.63
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 183
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 13

Toronto Blue Jays 67-72
5th Place in the A.L. East, 13 games behind the Yankees

Blue Jays Probables
Chris Bassitt (9-13, 4.27)
Bowden Francis (8-3, 3.66)

Blue Jays Leaders
Average:  Vladimir Guerrero - .324
Runs:  Vladimir Guerrero - 82
Home Runs:  Vladimir Guerrero - 27
RBIs:  Vladimir Guerrero - 89
Stolen Bases:  George Springer - 14

Wins:  Jose Berrios - 14
ERA:  Jose Berrios - 3.59

Strikeouts:  Chris Bassitt - 149
Saves:  Chad Green - 16

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Game 94 - A's Down Phils; Merrifield Released

2024 Topps #661

Athletics 6, Phillies 2
Game 94 - Friday Night, July 12th in Philadelphia
Record - 61-33, 1st Place, 8 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies offense couldn't take advantage of an Athletics' bullpen game, and Ranger Suarez continued to show signs of fatigue in this 6-2 loss.

What It Means:  The Phillies have two more games to try to get back on track before the All-Star break.

What Happened:  Perhaps suffering from a hangover following the sweep of the Dodgers, the Phillies looked lifeless in this Friday night game.  Suarez labored through six innings, allowing four runs on six hits.  The game was still within reach in the seventh inning with the A's holding a 4-2 lead, but Jose Ruiz gave up a two-run home run to Lawrence Butler and the deficit became unsurmountable.  A's closer Mason Miller made easy work of the final three batters to end the game.

Featured Card/Transaction:  Before the game, Whit Merrifield (inf-of) was released and Weston Wilson (inf-of) was recalled from Lehigh Valley.  Merrifield struggled to get going all season and ultimately ran out of time.  He batted .199 in 53 games, collecting four doubles, three home runs and 11 RBIs.  His 11 stolen bases brought his career total to 212, placing him sixth on the active leaders' list.

Merrifield appears with the Phillies in Topps Series Two, and he's also one of 20 subjects in the Phillies Kids Club set available at the ballpark.  I'm hoping he catches on somewhere, preferably outside the National League East.

Field Report:  Our son's weekend baseball tournament had its schedule completely upended due to the rain, and Jenna and I found ourselves unexpectedly at this game.  We had dinner at Pass and Stow (Asian chicken nachos and chorizo burrito, both new to the menu) and watched some of the game through intermittent sprinkles.  I was sad to realize it's the last time I'll ever see the Oakland Athletics, given their move out of Oakland following the season.

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Game 34 - Phils Rake Through the Raindrops in Latest Win

2024 Philadelphia Phillies
Kids Club

Phillies 14, Giants 3
Game 34 - Saturday Night, May 4th in Philadelphia
Record - 23-11, 1st Place, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  On a rainy, miserable night, Ranger Suarez had just enough and the Phillies offense raked through the raindrops in this 14-3 win over the Giants.

What It Means:  The Phillies have the best record in baseball and their lead over the Braves increased to a game and a half after the Braves fell to the Dodgers.

What Happened:  The Phillies held a 9-0 lead after the second inning, chasing Giants' starter Keaton Winn in the first inning.  The scoring started when Alec Bohm was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.  Brandon Marsh, Bryson Stott and Johan Rojas all had RBI singles in the first.  Productive ground outs from Nick Castellanos and Edmundo Sosa plated two more runs in the second, with Stott coming through again with another RBI single.  

Sloppy Giants play led to four more runs in the sixth, and Whit Merrifield hit a solo home run in the seventh.  Bohm's hitting streak reached 17 games, the longest by a Phillies' third baseman since Mike Schmidt's 17-game hitting streak in 1979.  Bohm left the game as a precaution with a sore hip.

Suarez picked up his league-leading sixth win, scattering seven hits over six innings and striking out six.

Featured Card:  Phillies Room favorite Merrifield has one Phillies baseball card to date, available only at the ballpark to members of one of the Phillies' fan clubs.

Transaction:  As expected, Trea Turner (ss) was placed on the Injured List with a left hamstring strain and Kody Clemens (inf) was recalled to take his place.

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Game 33 - Turner's Dash Helps Win Game; Phils in First!

2024 Topps Heritage #181

Phillies 4, Giants 3
Game 33 - Friday Night, May 3rd in Philadelphia
Record - 22-11, 1st Place, 1/2 game ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Head's up base running from Trea Turner ultimately won the game but will cost Turner some playing time as the Phillies won the series opener over the Giants, 4-3.

What It Means:  In the fourth, Turner singled, stole second and came around to score from second after ball four to Bryce Harper got by catcher Tom Murphy.  Turner's dash from second on the passed ball scored the eventual winning run, but will cost him six weeks with a hamstring injury suffered on the play.

And for the first time since April 11, 2022, the Phillies are in sole possession of first place with a half game lead over the Braves.

What Happened:  Aaron Nola, perhaps struggling after an extra day of rest, labored through four innings, allowing a pair of runs in the first inning after issuing four walks.  The bullpen was solid though, and Jose Alvarado closed things out to earn his sixth save.  Alec Bohm had an RBI single in the third, followed quickly by a two-run single from Brandon Marsh.

Featured Card:  Here's hoping for a speedy recovery for Turner, and it's likely Edmundo Sosa sees extra action and Bryson Stott moves back over to shortstop occasionally in the short-term while Turner recovers.

Field Report:  Jenna, Ben and Jenna's parents took in this game from the Diamond Club, getting their first look at the City Connect jerseys in person.  They stopped by the Kids Club kiosk pregame, adding three more cards to our Kids Club/Club 215 baseball card set.  Five down, 16 to go.

Transaction:  On Thursday, it was announced Ricardo Pinto (rhp) had cleared waivers and was outrighted to Lehigh Valley.  Pinto refused the assignment and became a free agent.  Before this game, Yunior Marte (rhp) was placed on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation and Jose Ruiz (rhp) had his contract selected.  Ruiz appeared in 34 games with the Diamondbacks last season and he's a veteran of seven seasons, spending most of his time with the White Sox.

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Spring Training Game 3 - Phils Fall Late to Sox

2023 Topps #381

Red Sox 7, Phillies 6
Spring Training Game 3 - Monday Afternoon, February 26th in Fort Myers
Record - 2-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies collected three home runs, but a group of young arms allowed four unanswered, late runs to the Red Sox in this 7-6 loss.

What It Means:  It's still odd in the year 2024 there are Phillies spring training games that are neither televised or broadcast over the radio.  This was one of those games, and I attempted to follow along with MLB Gameday, but would have preferred having the game on in the background on TV.

What Happened:  Whit Merrifield, Darick Hall and Aramis Garcia all homered for the Phillies.  Dave Buchanan, making his return to the club, got the start and allowed a pair of runs on four hits and a walk over two innings.  All four eighth and ninth inning runs scored by the Red Sox were charged to Noah Skirrow.  Skirrow started the ninth with a walk and hit by pitch, and departed in favor of Andrew Schultz.  Schultz allowed back-to-back singles as the Red Sox tied the game, 6-6.  He then uncorked a wild pitch to allow the winning run to score.

Featured Card:  Merrifield gets the card here for his first home run in a Phillies uniform, and I hope I'm featuring more of his cards throughout the year.  He's appeared in every Topps flagship set since 2018, and this is his latest flagship appearance from last year's set.

Camp Head Count:  62

Phils Sign Merrifield / Games Start Tomorrow!

2023 Topps Update #US291

2023 Topps Heritage #524

2023 Topps Big League #136

2023 Topps Heritage #668

2017 Chachi Photo Night #14

The Phillies spent most of the offseason with little to no roster movement, but once camp started in Clearwater there was a sudden flurry of moves.  By my unofficial tally, 65 days passed between the Phillies re-signing Aaron Nola on November 19th and the signing of Kolby Allard on January 23rd.  As we look forward to the first Grapefruit League action tomorrow afternoon, here's a look at the latest comings and goings over the past week.

• On February 14th, the signing of Spencer Turnbull (rhp) was announced, and McKinley Moore (rhp) was designated for assignment.  Turnbull is 12-29 over parts of five seasons with the Tigers.  In 2023, he was 1-4 with a 7.26 ERA in seven starts and I'm assuming he'll provide some starting pitching depth at Triple-A.

• On February 16th, Moore and Diego Castillo (inf) were both claimed off waivers.  Moore went to the Yankees with Castillo going to the Orioles.  It's surprising to me Moore would be let go, given he had been identified as one of the organization's top pitching prospects.

• There were a flurry of moves on Monday, with the biggest being the signing of Whit Merrifield (inf) to a one-year deal to provide a solid infield or outfield bench option.  Merrifield has long been a Phillies Room favorite, as he's one of our son Doug's favorite non-Phillies players.  Like Merrifield, Doug prides himself in being able to play all over the diamond, wherever the team needs him to play.  And I'm excited to add some Merrifield baseball cards to my 2024 Phillies binder

• To make room for Merrifield, Kaleb Ort was designated for assignment and later traded to the Orioles for cash considerations.  Ort had been on the 40-man roster for six days.

• Finally, three more non-roster invitees were added, bringing the total spring head count to 61.  Austin Brice (rhp) last pitched in the majors in 2022 with the Pirates, and he's a veteran of seven big league seasons having spent time with the Marlins, Reds, Marlins again, Red Sox and Pirates.  David Dahl (of) was an All-Star with the Rockies in 2019, and he's spent most of the past two seasons bouncing around the minor league systems of the Brewers, Nationals, Dodgers and Padres.  And Ricardo Pinto (rhp) returns to the Phillies, having last pitched in 25 games for the team in 2017.  He's been all over the place since then, having last pitched in the Mexican League in 2023.

Player (position) - 2023 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card

19.  Austin Brice (rhp) - Diamondbacks/Twins - 2023 Topps Pro Debut #PD-86

20.  David Dahl (of) - Padres/Dodgers - 2019 Topps Total (White Sox)

21.  Ricardo Pinto (rhp) - Mexico - 2023 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #CPA-GM