Phillies Phacks n Stats 9/11/2024

 ON THIS DAY IN PHILLIES HISTORY - Sept. 11

Happy Happy Birthday to...

Larry Cox  born 1947  Phillies 1975-75
    .172/.246/.207 in 42 games

Weston Wilson  born 1994  Phillies 2023-
    .309/.380/.531 in 37 games
    1.0 IP  1 Hit  0 ER

In 1970...
Future Phillies Wall of Famer John Vukovich makes his major league debut at third base in a 1-0 loss to Montreal. A former Phillies 10th overall pick, Vukovich was traded two years later along with Buddy Kennedy's grandpa, Don Money, to Milwaukee in order to open up the hot corner for a young Michael Schmidt to start as a rookie in 1973. Vuuuuuk is joined by friends Larry Bowa and Milt Thompson as the only Phillies to win an NL pennant as a player and coach.

ON THIS DAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY...

In 1886...
A 24 year old Cornelius McGillicuddy, or Connie Mack, debuts for the Washington Nationals in a 4-3 win over the Phillies. Over the course of 11 seasons Mack was almost hit by as many pitches (64) as pitches he hit for doubles (79), but he would make his HoF career after his playing days. Mack holds unbreakable records for most wins (3,731), losses (3,948), and games (7,755) as Philly A's manager for 50 years. Connie oversaw 5 World Series and 9 AL pennant winning teams and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame's second class in 1937.

Last Night's Game - Rays W 9-4

- Trea Turner became the first Phillies shortstop to record multiple 2-homer, 3-hit, 4-RBI games in a season (July 2nd vs. Cubs). Only three other Phillies shortstops have recorded one such game in red pinstripes: Jimmy Rollins (2006), Glen Stewart (1943), Art Fletcher (1922).

- Bryce Harper is the first Phillies player since Maikel Franco on June 13, 2017 to have a four-hit game without scoring or driving in a run.

Tonight's Game - Rays 6:40 Wheeler vs. Baz

- Zack Wheeler's had a quality start each of the last seven times he's taken the mound and leads NL starters with 22 on the season.

- Shane Baz sounds like the name of someone who would be the steady opening act on Friday nights at your local town theatre. His credits include 2x Winner & 3x Runner-up for County Magician of the Year as well as receiving the golden buzzer from Mel B on America's Got Talent in 2014.

Phillies Phacks n Stats

- With back-to-back hitless/walkless appearances, Matt Strahm has lowered his WHIP to 0.81 on the season, the lowest mark in Phillies franchise history for a pitcher with 50+ innings on the campaign.

- At 49-25 (.662) the Phillies have the best home record in the majors and currently have their best winning percentage since the opening of Citizens Bank Park. The Fightins have won 50 games at CBP just twice in a season, 2010 (54-30) and 2011 (52-29).
    Note: The 2010 Phillies played 84 games at CBP because the G20 World Summit was held in Toronto, forcing a 3-game set with the Blue Jays to be played in Philadelphia.

Steve Irwin's Revenge

- Last night Edwin Uceta doubled his earned runs allowed on the season, entering the game with a 0.75 ERA and leaving at 1.49. Uceta has been released by 6 teams in his career, the same amount of batters he faced across just 0.1 IP on Tuesday, allowing 4 hits, 3 earned runs and hitting Nick Castellanos with a cowardly fastball.

NL EAST STANDINGS
                    W     L         GB
Phillies        87    58          --        Magic Number: 10
Mets           79    66         8.0
Braves        79    66         8.0
Nationals    64    80        22.5
Marlins       54    91        33.0