Game 85 - The Nola Problem Intensifies

Pittsburgh Pirates	11
Philadelphia Phillies	7

2026 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs Bonus Pack

Monday Night, June 29th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
47-38, 2nd Place, 3 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola once again suffered one horrific inning, and Chase Shugart allowed three runs in as many days in this 11-7 defeat by the Pirates.

What It Means:  These game summary posts used to be a daily exercise for me, but a busy schedule throughout the week has turned the fun pastime into more of a weekend catch-up activity.  I'm fine having a busy schedule, but I'm also looking forward to things easing up a little.

What Happened:  Nola was charged with eight runs (seven earned) in 4 1/3 innings, seeing his ERA creep over six to 6.04.  His place in the rotation is shaky at best, but the Phillies really don't have many other options right now other than to hope he figures something out.  Seth Johnson and Tim Mayza restored some order, pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings and allowing the offense to creep back to within two runs when Brandon Marsh hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth, giving the Pirates an 8-6 lead.  But Shugart allowed three more runs to score in the top of the ninth, putting the game out of reach.  Trea Turner and Marsh both homered in the first and Bryce Harper added a two-run home run in the third, spotting Nola a short-lived 5-0 lead.

Featured Card:  Nola needs to stick around, but the Phillies sent Shugart back to the IronPigs following this game.  Shugart has a card in the team-issued photo card set, and can be found in the IronPigs team set too.

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The Phillies Room: January Notes

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Stay on target . . . getting closer . . .

January 5 - Donny Baseball Joins Phils:  It's fascinating to me when an iconic player known for his time with another organization is suddenly wearing the Phillies' red pinstripes.  After weeks of rumors, the Phillies made it official and named Don Mattingly their next bench coach.  Mike Calitri, who had been the bench coach for Rob Thomson since June 2022, has been moved into a new position as Major League field coordinator.

Mattingly had previously been the bench coach for the Blue Jays (2023-25).  He says he has no plans to manage again, and if that's the case, he'll retire with a 885-941 lifetime managerial record while leading the Yankees on an interim basis (2007), Dodgers (2010-15) and Marlins (2016-22).  Along with his recent stint with the Blue Jays, Mattingly coached with the Yankees (2004-07) and Dodgers (2008-10).  His son, Preston Mattingly, is the Phillies' current GM.

Mattingly spent 14 seasons with the Yankees (1982-95), winning a batting title in 1984 and MVP honors in 1985.  He was a nine-time Gold Glove winner, a three-time Silver Slugger winner and a six-time All-Star during a playing career that never saw the Yankees reach the postseason.

January 13 - Trade with Bucs Nets Shugart:  The Phillies acquired Chase Shugart (rhp), whose name will likely auto-correct to Sugar all season, from the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league prospect Francisco Loreto (inf).  In 35 games last season, Shugart was 4-3 with a 3.40 ERA in 45 innings pitched.  Loreto, just 18 years old, played in 47 games for the FCL Phillies last summer, batting .237 with 10 doubles.

January 16 - Bichette to Mets / J.T. Returns:  Neither signing had been officially announced on this day, but it was widely reported that Bo Bichette was poised to sign a three-year deal with the rival Mets, while J.T. Realmuto (c) would return to the Phillies on a three-year contract.  The Bichette signing was a shock, as the Phillies had seemed destined to sign the infielder, and in fact had offered him a seven-year deal worth $200 million.  The Mets swooped in after losing the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes and offered Bichette three years at $126 million.  A few hours later, it was announced Realmuto was returning to the club on a three-year, $45 million deal.

January 20 - J.T. Officially Returns / Wilson Departs:  The Realmuto signing was made official and surprisingly, Weston Wilson (inf) was designated for assignment to open up a 40-man roster spot.  Two days later, Wilson was claimed off waivers by the Orioles.  In parts of three seasons with the Phillies, Wilson batted .242 in 100 games, with nine home runs and 29 RBIs.  He memorably hit a home run in his first at-bat on the same night Michael Lorenzen threw a no-hitter, back on August 9, 2023.  And on August 15, 2024, Wilson hit for the 10th cycle in Phillies history.