PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:
GAME #69 RECAP: The Phillies defeated the Diamondbacks, 5-4, and took three of four from Arizona in the desert … Starter Aaron Nola (W, 6-5) went 6.1 innings and allowed 4 runs on 6 hits with 1 walk and 9 strikeouts … The Phillies outscored Arizona 32-19 in the series as they slashed .323/.391/.544 with 51 hits and 22 extra-base hits (14 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR) … The series win was Philadelphia’s first in Arizona since 2016.
HATS OFF TO YOU, THOMS: Yesterday’s 5-4 Phils win was the 100th regular season win of Rob Thomson’s managerial career … Thomson is the 56th manager in Phillies franchise history – out of those 56, he ranks T-6th in fewest games needed to reach 100 wins (180 G) … He reached 100 wins faster than any Phillies manager since Pat Corrales in 1983 (also 180) … The only managers in franchise history to reach 100 faster than Thomson are Steve O’Neil (167 G) in 1953, Bill Shettsline (171 G) in 1899, Pat Moran (172 G) in 1916, Dallas Green (178 G) in 1980 and Billy Murray (178 G) in 1908 … Since Thomson was hired on June 3, 2022, the Phillies are 100-80 and their .556 winning percentage is 3rd-best in the National League, behind only ATL (.665) and LAD (.644).
THE VIBES ARE BACK: This season, the Phillies were seven games under .500 at 25-32 when they entered play on June 3, which was also the one-year anniversary of Rob Thomson’s first game as Phillies manager … Since then, they have gone 10-2 in 12 games with a +26-run differential (71-45) and have moved over .500 at 35-34… When Thomson took over last year on June 3, the Phillies were also seven games under .500 at 22-29, and in their first 12 games with him as manager (6/3-15/22), they went 10-2 with a +28-run differential (74-46) and sat at .500 at 32-31 on June 15.
I’M GIVING IT MY ALL: The Phillies have won their last four series (2-1 at WSH, 3-0 vs DET, 2-1 vs LAD & 3-1 at ARI) and 10 of their last 12 games (6/3-current) … Over the last three seasons (2021-23), the Phillies are 41-24 in the month of June and their .631 winning percentage ranks 3rd among all MLB clubs behind only BOS (.647) & ATL (.647) … Over the last two seasons (since 2022), the Phillies are 29- 12 in June and their .707 winning % ranks 2nd in MLB, trailing only ATL (.775).
STAFF NOTES: Over the last 12 games, the Phillies are 10-2, thanks in part to a starting staff that has combined to post a 2.06 ERA (16 ER, 70.0 IP) with 76 strikeouts to 19 walks and only three home runs allowed … The rotation has faced 272 batters in this stretch and limited them to a .173 AVG and .509 OPS … Phillies starters have gone at least 7.0 innings in five of those 12 games and at least 6.0 innings in nine of 12 … The Phils rotation leads the NL and ranks 2nd among all starting staffs in MLB in fWAR at 7.7, trailing only MIN (8.1).
BACK IN THE BAY: The Phillies arrive in Oakland to play the A’s for the first time since 2014 … In the last game between these two clubs in Oakland on 9/21/14 (8-6 A’s win), Phils GM Sam Fuld entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Oakland in the 7th before remaining in the game as the right fielder – he was later intentionally walked in the 9th and stole second with Carlos Ruiz behind the plate.
THE AMERICAN DREAM: The Phillies have won each of their last six games against the American League (since 5/7) which is the longest winning streak against the AL in franchise history (previous: 5 G from 1997- 98 and 5 G in 2003) … Dating back to 4/26, the Phils have won 10 of their last 13 against the AL.
TOOLS OF BRILLIANCE: In the recently completed 3-1 series win over the Diamondbacks in Phoenix, J.T. Realmuto went 7-for-12 with 7 runs, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 6 RBI, 2 walks and a stolen base – he raised his OPS .85 points in three games from .709 on Sunday to .794 entering play tonight … Realmuto (who played in the first three games of the series) became only the second Phillies player in the Modern Era (since 1900) with multiple doubles, triples and home runs in a single series (any length) – Granny Hamner also did so in June of 1954 at the Chicago Cubs (2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR) … Realmuto is the only catcher in MLB since at least 1900 to do it … Among all MLB players since World War II, Realmuto is one of only 16 players with two or more of each in a single series (any length) … Others: CIN’s Jay Bruce in 2016, SF’s Hunter Pence in 2014, SEA’s Alex Rodriguez in 1998, BOS’ Reggie Jefferson in 1996, COL’s Larry Walker in 1996, DET’s Lou Whitaker in 1983, MTL’s Warren Cromartie in 1978, NYY’s Roy White in 1973, CHI’s Billy Williams in 1965, DET’s Jake Wood in 1962, NYG’s Dusty Rhodes in 1954, Hamner in 1954, BOS’ Willard Marshall in 1951, STL’s Stan Musial in 1949 and CLE’s Jeff Heath in 1939 … Realmuto is the first MLB player with at least two doubles, triples, home runs and walks in a single series since Marshall in 1951.
A REAL UNICORN: On Monday night against the Diamondbacks, J.T. Realmuto became only the eighth player in Phillies franchise history to hit for the cycle as he did so for the ninth time in franchise history (last: David Bell, 6/28/04 vs MTL) … Fittingly, Realmuto became the first catcher in club history to accomplish the feat … The last ML catcher before Realmuto to hit for the cycle was MIL’s George Kottaras on Sept. 3, 2011 at HOU … Per Elias, Realmuto’s cycle marked just the 16th cycle by a player batting as a catcher in the Modern Era (since 1900) … Realmuto is only the 10th player in MLB history to have a 20-home run/20 stolen base season and then hit for the cycle in the next season – he is the first player to do so since Mookie Betts, who did so from 2017-18 … Others: Wil Myers (2016-17), Alex Rios (2012-13), Mike Trout (2012-13), Vladimir Guerrero (2002-03), John Valentin (1995-96), Kevin McReynolds (1988-89), Eric Davis (1988-89) and Chuck Klein (1932-33).
SCHWARBERFEST IS ON: Since being inserted back into the leadoff spot on June 2 at WSH, Kyle Schwarber has posted a 1.007 OPS in 62 plate appearances – he has 8 extra-base hits (2 2B, 3B, 5 HR), 12 walks to 14 strikeouts and has scored 13 runs in that span – the Phillies are 10-3 in those 13 games … Winner of each of the last two NL Player of the Month Awards in June (2021 with WSH, 2022 with Phils), Schwarber has 33 home runs (68 total hits, 49%) and is slashing .265/.372/.689 in 68 games (304 PA) over the past three months of June combined (1.060 OPS) while averaging a home run every 7.79 at bats.
TONIGHT’S STARTER – TAIJUAN WALKER • RHP #99
2023: 6-3, 4.67 ERA Career: 60-53, 3.94 ERA
LAST START: 6/11 vs LAD: W, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 SO … Walker vs Ferguson … The Phillies defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers, 7-3, at a sold out Citizens Bank Park in South Philly … Brandon Marsh, Bryson Stott, Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos and Trea Turner all had multiple hits as the Phillies totaled 13 on the day and took two of three games from the Dodgers.
TONIGHT’S START:
- Gone Streaking: Walker has thrown back-to-back scoreless outings for the 3rd time in his career (also, 4/11-30/22 & 5/17- 29/21), while this marks the first instance where each start was at least 5.0 innings. His 12.0 scoreless-innings streak is the 2nd-longest of his career behind two scoreless 13.0-inning stretches from 7/4-16/22 and 6/26-7/7/15. Of hurlers who have thrown at least 1 pitch this season, it is the 8thlongest active streak in the majors. His 3 straight starts with two hits allowed (or fewer) ties a career-long stretch from 9/29/21-4/30/22.
- Summer Baby: Walker’s 2.87 ERA (54 ER, 169.1 IP) in the month of June is his lowest ERA in any month of his career (next, 3.65, April). It is the 5th-lowest mark of any active pitcher (min. 160.0 IP) for June, behind Max Scherzer (2.80), Clayton Kershaw (2.74), Chris Sale (2.55) and Jacob deGrom (2.40).
- Dub City: Walker was the 1st Phillies starter to reach 6 wins this season and was joined by Aaron Nola, yesterday. The Phillies are 1 of 9 clubs to have 2 or more hurlers with 6+ wins this year.
- Doing the Splits: Walker has used his splitter 36.5% of the time in 2023, the highest rate of his career (previous: 27.6% in 2022) … He has thrown it more often than any other pitch and has surrendered just 3 XBH on it. Walker threw his splitter for 46 pitches on 5/7 and 4/9, the most he has ever thrown the pitch in a game in his career (previous: 43 times, 6/2/22 & 8/8/16). 31 of his 58 strikeouts have come via the splitter and his 26.7 strikeout percentage and 27.3 whiff percentage with the pitch are the 5thand 6th-best marks in the NL, respectively (min. 25 PA).
- Limiting Lefties: In 2023, Walker has held lefties to a .200 (23- 115) AVG (T-11th in NL among starters), compared to .268 (38- 142) against righties … Since his debut year, 2013, Walker has limited left-handed batters to a .230 AVG, 12th-best among active right-handed starters during that span (min. 1,500 LHB faced).
- vs AL West: 13-12, 4.55 ERA (101 ER, 200.0 IP) in 39 games (36 starts).
ROAD:
- 2023: 3-3, 6.75 ERA (28 ER, 37.1 IP) in 8 starts.
- Career: 33-32, 4.17 ERA (229 ER, 494.0 IP) in 95 games (93 starts).
- Oakland Coliseum: 0-1, 9.64 ERA (10 ER, 9.1 IP) in 2 games (1 start).
2023 SEASON:
- On 6/6 vs DET, Walker completed 7.0 innings for the 1st time since 9/16/22 vs PIT with a season-high 8 strikeouts. It was his 1st scoreless outing of at least 7.0 innings since 7/10/22 vs MIA.
- On 5/21 vs CHI, Walker made his 1st career start on 3 days rest.
- Made his Phillies debut on 4/3 at NYY after signing a 4-year contract with the club in December.
- Pitched for Team Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, making 1 start in Pool Play against Great Britain … He threw 4.0 scoreless IP with 2 baserunners allowed and recorded 8 of his 12 outs via strikeout.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS NOTES:
ABOUT THE A’S: Have lost two straight after winning a season-high seven consecutive games…are 7-6 (.538) in June…had just six wins in May and five in April…are 19-52 (.268) overall, which is the second worst record in the majors ahead of the Royals (18-50, .265)…it is the worst record by an A’s team over the first 71 games since the 1920 Philadelphia A’s started the year 17-53 (had one game end in a tie)…are 3-1-1 over the last five series after going 1-16 over the first 17 series…swept Milwaukee last weekend for their first sweep of the season…have been swept nine times.
OFFENSE: The A’s struck out a season-high tying 17 times yesterday (April 19 vs. Cincinnati) and now have 659 strikeouts for the season, which is third most in the majors…are on pace for 1504 strikeouts, which would break the Athletics record of 1491 set in 2017…are hitting .202 (43-for-213) over the last seven games but are batting .240 (102-for-425) with 57 runs scored in 13 games in June (4.4 runs per game) after hitting .208 with 87 runs in 29 games in May (3.0 runs per game)…lead the majors in hit by pitches (43), are tied for the lead in sacrifice hits (14) and rank fifth in walks (244)…however, have the lowest OPS (.660), batting average (.223) and slugging percentage (.354) and sixth lowest on-base percentage (.306)…have the fewest extra base hits (168), rank third in fewest runs (257), fourth in fewest doubles (95) and eighth in fewest home runs (66)…have been shut out eight times, which is tied for the most… A’s pinch hitters lead the majors in hits (15), are tied for second in walks (10) and rank fifth in plate appearances (70).
PITCHING: The A’s have compiled a 2.96 ERA (27 er in 82.0 ip) over the last nine games and now have a 4.36 ERA (54 er in 114.0 ip) in June…that follows a 5.54 ERA in May and 7.97 in April, both of which were the highest in the majors… have a 6.20 ERA for the season, which is the highest in the majors…the last team to finish the year with an ERA above 6.00 is the 1999 Rockies (6.03)… also have the highest opponents OPS (.838), on-base percentage (.365) and slugging percentage (.473) and the second highest batting average (.274)… lead the majors in most walks (321), home runs (107) and hit batters (46), have the second most wild pitches (35) and the fifth fewest strikeouts (536)… have surrendered six grand slams, which are the most in the majors and tied for fifth most in a season in Athletics history (8 in 1993 and 1999, 7 in 1954 and 1997)…also lead the majors with 14 walks with the bases loaded, which are the most by an A’s team since 2011 (18).
STARTING PITCHING: A’s starting pitchers are 4-1 with a 3.20 ERA (16 er in 45.0 ip) over the last nine games after going 2-32 with a 7.19 ERA over the first 61 games…are 6-33 with a 6.64 ERA for the season…the ERA is the highest in the majors and the wins and 326.2 innings pitched are the fewest…the fewest wins from a starting rotation in a full season in Major League history is 21 by the Pirates last year.
FOR OPENERS: The A’s have used an “opener” six times this year (all since May 24)…A’s openers are 1-2 with a 7.50 ERA (6.0 ip, 10 h, 5 r, 5 er, 7 so) and the “main” pitchers are 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA (30.0 ip, 28 h, 15 r, 15 er, 10 bb, 30 so)… are 2-4 in the six games…used an opener nine times in 2018 (all in September) and three times in 2019 (none after June 5).
THE BULLPEN: The A’s bullpen is 3-1 with six saves, one blown save and a 2.59 ERA (12 er in 41.2 ip) over the last nine games…had an Oakland record tying streak of six consecutive games with a save snapped on Wednesday…that followed a 29-game stretch without a save, which was the second longest single-season streak in Oakland history…the pen is now 10-for-22 (45.5%) in save opportunities for the season…has the lowest save percentage in the majors, the third fewest saves and is tied for the ninth most blown saves (12)… has a 5.71 ERA, which is the highest in the majors…has 296.1 innings pitched, which is second most…has allowed 53-of-131 (40.5%) inherited runners to score, which is the fourth highest percentage…has the fourth most inherited runners.
ON THE BASES: The A’s have 14 stolen bases in the last 11 games and are 69- for-86 (80.2%) in stolen base attempts for the season…rank fourth in the majors in stolen bases and attempts…had 78 stolen bases all last year…A’s opponents are 8-for-17 (47.1%) in stolen base attempts over the last eight games and are 56-for-83 (67.5%) for the season, which is the third lowest success rate in the majors…the 27 caught stealings are five more than any other team but the 56 stolen bases are ninth most…A’s pitchers have nine pickoffs, which is tied with the Yankees for the most in the majors.
HOME AND AWAY: The A’s are 2-2 on this seven-game homestand against Tampa Bay (2-2) and Philadelphia (three games)…went 2-4 on the last homestand against Houston (0-3) and Atlanta (2-1) and are 9-26 (.257) at home, which is tied with the Royals for the lowest home winning percentage in the majors…have a win and a split over the last two home series after losing each of the first nine …leave following the Sunday for a six-game road trip to Cleveland (three games) and Toronto (three games) that begins on Tuesday…went 5-4 on the last road trip to Miami (0-3), Pittsburgh (2-1) and Milwaukee (3- 0)…it was the A’s first winning road trip since Sept. 14-19, 2021…are 10-26 (.278) on the road, which is the second worst road record in the majors (Royals, 9-24/.273)…have compiled a 5.41 ERA (194 er in 323.0 ip) at home compared to 7.05 on the road.
WINNING LATE: The A’s have scored the winning run in their final at bat in 10 of their 19 victories…have five walk-off wins, which is tied for second most in the majors (White Sox, 6)…are 10-48 when tied or trailing after seven innings compared to 9-4 when leading after seven innings…rank fourth in the majors in wins when tied or trailing after seven innings but no other team has fewer than 14 wins when leading after seven…are 4-4 (.500) in extra inning games… are tied for fifth in the majors in extra inning wins and tied for seventh in losses and games (8).
RUN DIFFERENTIAL: Each of the A’s last two wins, three of the last four and 11 of 19 overall have been by one run…are now 11-12 (.478) in one-run games… are tied for fourth in the majors in one-run games (23), tied for eighth in losses and tied for 10th in wins (11)…however, are 8-40 (.167) in games decided by two or more runs, including 1-14 in games decided by six or more runs…have a run differential of -1 in June after posting a mark of -78 in May and -118 in April…are -196 for the season, which is the lowest in the majors…had a run differential of -202 all last year, which was second lowest in Oakland history (-287 in 1979).
PLAYERS USED: The A’s have used 45 players, which is tied with the Angels, Brewers and Reds for the most in the majors…employed a franchise record 64 players last year…29 of the 45 have been pitchers, which is second most to the Rays (32)…tied an Athletics record with 34 pitchers last year…12 of the 43 are rookies after using an Oakland-record 34 rookies last year…seven have made their Major League debuts…had 23 do that last year.
THE INJURED LIST: The A’s placed Richard Lovelady on the injured list today and have now used the IL 16 times, including 12 times for pitchers…currently have eight players on the IL, including seven pitchers…used the IL 31 times last year, which broke the Oakland record of 27 set in 2016 and matched in 2021.
THIS AND THAT: The A’s are 15-26 (.366) in night games, 4-26 (.133) in day games…are 15-11 when scoring four or more runs, 4-41 when scoring fewer than four runs…have committed three errors in the last two games and now have 41 for the season, which is tied for sixth most in the majors…are tied for third in the majors in outfield assists (14)…have an average time of game of 2:46, which is the longest in the majors…however, have not averaged under 2:53 per game since 2010 (2:43)…have allowed at least one run in each of their last 98 games, which is the longest active streak in the majors and the longest by an A’s team since an Athletics record 198-game streak from April 7, 1997- May 17, 1998…the A’s last shutout was on Sept. 4, 2022 at Baltimore (5-0).
A’S VS. PHILLIES
- The A’s lost the season series last year as they
dropped two of three in Philadelphia to open
the season. - Meet in Oakland for the first time since 2014 when the A’s won two of three…have played three times in Oakland (2005, 2008, 2014) and the A’s have won two of three each time.
Year Home Road Totals
2023 0-0 0-0 0-0
2022 0-0 1-2 1-2
Oakland History: 11-10
at the Coliseum: 6-3
at Citizens Bank Park: 4-5
TODAY’S TIDBITS
Ryan Noda leads the American League and ranks fourth in the majors with a .412 on-base percentage…leads the AL and is tied for third in the majors in walks (48)…leads Major League rookies in on-base percentage (.412) and walks (48) and tops AL rookies in OPS (.854)…Esteury Ruiz leads the majors in stolen bases (33) and hit by pitches (12)…leads ML rookies in stolen bases (33) and hit by pitches (12) and ranks third in hits (70).
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER: JP Sears (1-3, 4.15 ERA)
FOR STARTERS: Is scheduled to make his 14th start of the season…has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last six starts but is 1-0 with five no decisions, a 2.53 ERA (8 er in 32.0 ip) and .647 opponents OPS over that span…went 0-3 with a 5.54 ERA and .748 OPS over his first seven starts… has nine no decisions for the season, which are tied for the most in the majors among starters.
OPPONENTS BATTING: Has a .212 (45-for-212) opponents batting average and .726 OPS against right-handed hitters compared to .333 (16-for-48) with am .806 OPS against left-handers…has allowed 23 of his 25 extra base hits… has yielded 40 of his 45 career extra base hits to righties, including 21 of his 22 home runs…has a .291 (30-for-103) opponents batting average the first time through the order, .197 (31-for-157) after that…the opponents number eight hitter is 2-for-24 (.083) against him…opponents are 1-for-27 on an 0-2 count.
AL AND NL: Is scheduled to make his fifth start against a National League team today…is 1-0 with a 2.49 ERA (6 er in 21.2 ip) in four interleague starts compared to 0-3 with a 4.91 ERA (26 er in 47.2 ip) nine nine starts against American League competition.
THIS AND THAT: Has walked two batters or fewer in 12 of his 13 starts, including four starts with no walks and five with one…has issued 16 free passes in 69.1 innings for the season, an average of 2.08 per nine innings…is 0-0 with a 2.57 ERA (8 er in 28.0 ip) in five starts in Oakland and 1-3 with a 5.23 ERA (24 er in 41.1 ip) in eight starts on the road…has allowed 11 of his 33 runs in the first inning for a 7.62 ERA (11 er in 13.0 ip)…has allowed just two runs in the second inning (13.0 ip, 1.38 ERA)…has allowed at least one home run in 10 of his 13 starts and has 14 home runs overall, which is tied for ninth most in the majors…has tossed six innings or fewer in all 13 of his starts this
year and all 24 in his career.
2023 DAY-BY-DAY: Allowed a career-high tying eight hits in his first start on April 4 against Cleveland but had a no decision in the A’s 4-3 win…tossed a career-high tying 6.0 innings in the A’s 4-3, 10-inning loss to New York (NL) on April 16…struck out a career-high 11 batters in a career-high tying 6.0 innings on April 21 at Texas but had a no decision in the A’s 5-4 win…allowed a career-high tying six runs in a season-low 4.1 innings in an 8-7 loss at Los Angeles (AL) on April 27…finished April with an 0-2 record, a 6.23 ERA and .846 opponents OPS in five starts…then went 0-1 with a 2.94 ERA and .669 opponents OPS in six starts in May…tossed a career-high tying 6.0 innings and did not allow a run on May 3 against Seattle but had a no decision in the A’s 7-2 10-inning loss…left with 2-0 lead but the pen allowed one run in the seventh and one in the ninth for the blown save…it was the first of two times he left with the lead and was in position to get the win only to have the bullpen blow the save (May 25 at Seattle)…surrendered a career-high tying three home runs in a 7-2 loss at New York (AL) on May 8…that extended his losing streak to a career-high four games dating back to Sept. 25, 2022… posted a 5.55 ERA and .782 opponents OPS over that stretch, which spanned nine games, including eight starts…had a no decision in an 11-3 loss to Texas on May 14 to start a stretch of five consecutive no decisions from May 14 to June 5…compiled a 2.33 ERA and .609 opponents OPS during the streak, which fell one short of the Oakland record for consecutive starts without a decision…allowed two runs in a career-high tying 6.0 innings in a no decision at Houston on May 20…allowed one run in a career-high tying 6.0 innings on May 30 against Atlanta but had a no decision in the A’s 2-1 win…had career highs in walks (5) and pitches (112) in a no decision at Pittsburgh on June 5.
LAST START: He snapped his career-high four-game losing streak in the A’s 8-6 win at Milwaukee on Sunday…it was his first win since Sept. 20, 2022 against Seattle…surrendered a solo home run to Yelich in the second and a RBI double to Miller in the third…those were the only runs he would allow in five innings of work and the A’s scored four times in the fourth to give him the lead.
