Phillies News: a shutout loss, bunch of injury updates, and more

The Philadelphia Phillies took on the New York Mets for the first time this season last night. It did not go typically well for Philadelphia. The club dropped the game 2-0 in Citi Field and it marks the 5th time the Phillies were shut out this season.

The bright side of this loss is that Ranger Suarez looked like Ranger Suarez. The cool-as-ice lefty pitched 6 ⅔ innings, allowed five hits, and two runs, and struck out four. The clubs go at it again tonight. Philadelphia sends out Aaron Nola (4-3, 4.59 ERA), and New York picks Carlos Carrasco (1-2, 6.75 ERA) as the starting pitchers.

Phillies News

• Just like every other team, the Phillies have an update on their nice-sized list of injured players. Ace reliever Jose Alvarado is close to returning from his left elbow inflammation as he is scheduled to throw live batting practice before Wednesday’s Phillies-Mets game. First baseman Darick Hall (sprained thumb) and catcher Rafael Marchan (hamate fracture) began rehab assignments on Tuesday night. Outfielder Cristian Pache (torn meniscus) went under further tests on Tuesday and could begin his rehab in the minors in the coming days. 

• The fifth starter for the Phillies is still a disaster and it’s an issue that has no end in sight. Rob Thomson and the Phillies are unsure about who will be taking the ball as the 5th starter this weekend in Washington. Expect the Phillies to pick from the same batch of names that have provided repeated stinkers from the 5th spot this season. In the Phillies’ case, they hope to do the same thing and expect different results this weekend. 

• The Phillies Wall of Fame is a celebratory occasion and brings the utmost joy to all involved to reminiscence on the great Phillies of the team’s past. The team announced early the lineup that would be inducted into the exclusive club. Former 3rd baseman Scott Rolen, general manager John Quinn, and owner Rudy Carpenter will be enshrined into the Wall of Fame at Citizens Bank Park on August 12th. 

MLB News

• Aaron Judge is an absolute marvel. He’s like a superhero with endearing human qualities. Judge gives most people no objective reasons to be against him or dislike his style of play on the diamond. Judge hit his 18th screaming, smoking, soaring home run. Coincidentally, Judge hit the 18th bomb of his past seasons on the same day one year apart. Also, it is his 3rd straight game with a homer.

• Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers was front and center for an overall fun celebration. The Tigers’ backstop celebrated a home run of his last night showing off his hockey skills. I’m guessing that the Tigers are doing the celebration for two reasons, it’s just some good clean goofy fun and the team is supporting their hockey counterpart in the Detroit Red Wings. 

• The San Diego Padres have struggled mightily considering their expectations coming into the season. There’s some excitement down on their farm with a potential young phenom. Ethan Salas, the 16-year-old catcher, made his debut with Low Class-A Lake Elsinore Storm where he doubled in his first at-bat. The Venezuelan catcher will certainly have many eyes on him in the coming years.