Your Wednesday Morning Roundup
It was a double win for both the Phillies and their fans yesterday.
For the group that wanted changes, they got some on the coaching staff. After losing three of four to San Francisco, including recording one hit and three hits in two of the losses, hitting coach John Mallee was canned and replaced with former manager Charlie Manuel. He was traveling Tuesday and wasn’t at the series opener against the Cubs, but GM Matt Klentak and manager Gabe Kapler took questions. That included one from Howard Eskin who kinda sorta asked about Kapler’s comments from six years ago regarding Manuel as the Phillies manager before Eskin got destroyed by Mike Missanelli.
Now to the game. The team did get nine hits in the game, but also struck out 14 times to José Quintana. Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins went a combined 0-for-8 with six strikeouts (Hoskins struck out all four of his at-bats).
But other plays stepped up, including J.T. Realmuto, who had a solo home run and an RBI triple, to help push the Phils to a 4-2 win. Jason Vargas pitched six innings and gave up two runs off five hits with a strikeout and three walks.
Pitching should be on display again tonight as Aaron Nola takes the mound against Cole Hamels. With Charlie back in the dugout, his first game since managing his final game exactly six years ago today.
The Roundup:
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Eagles training camp wrapped up yesterday as the team gets ready for Thursday night’s visit to Jacksonville. They’ll see Nick Foles, but not on the field. Looks like he won’t play.
Speaking of Foles, he chose to wear a different number over No. 9 because “it pertains to [Philadelphia].” How can you not love the guy.
Foles also nearly retired following the 2017 season due to lingering elbow injuries.
Elsewhere, former Army offensive tackle Brent Toth wants to play in the NFL, specifically with the Birds. He needs a waiver in order to play.
There’s a brand new episode of Snow The Goalie with special guest Frank Seravalli of TSN.
In other sports news, Trent Williams is in Redskins purgatory, while Giants owner John Mara would be fine if Daniel Jones didn’t play this season.
Andrew Luck now has a high-ankle injury.
Ohio State is looking to trademark the word “The.”
Curt Schilling is thinking about running for Congress.
In the news, a fisher reeled in a 90.6 pound cobia fish off of Cape May.
Rapper A$AP Rocky was found guilty of assault in Sweden, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll face prison time.