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The Phillies bookended last week -- when they went 5 - 1 -- with a pair of walk-off victories.  Kody Clemens (seen here during a May game against Washington) authored Monday night's win over the Rays with a bases-loaded single in the last of the 9th.

(Below:)  JT Realmuto (snapped during the London Series in June) smacked Sunday afternoon's decisive two-out single to make it two out of three wins against the division rival Mets.  As the Phils chase the best record in baseball and post-season home field advantage, it's timely to see their catcher's bat heating up -- especially since his mid-season knee injury will limit him to under 100 games this year.
Is there cause for concern with Ranger Suarez?  Through his first 10 starts (ending May 21st), he was the most effective starter in the NL, winning nine straight decisions with a sparkling 1.36 ERA.  Since then, he's made 15 starts, going 4-7 with an ERA closer to 5 than 4.  The Phils have a terrific trio of Wheeler, Nola and Sanchez atop the rotation.  Will Rob Thomson and pitching coach Caleb Cotham still have confidence in Suarez when the post-season begins just over two weeks from now??

Reading manager Al Pedrique's season ended on Sunday with a losing record -- but one of his pupils, star prospect Justin Crawford made big strides toward the majors.  Promoted to AA mid-season, the former 1st round draft pick finished 2024 with a .313 average and 42 stolen bases.

Now, let's set the Time Machine to May 2nd, 2010: pitcher Jamie Moyer stands on 1st base after a 5th inning single.  The Pennsylvania native worked the first six innings and earned the W in the Phils 11-5 victory over the Mets.
That night was also as close as I've been to the Phanatic -- entertaining our section between innings.





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