Phils Miss Out On Sweep, Drop Series Finale To Nats
The Phillies and Nationals needed extra innings to decide the winner for the second time in two days. This time, however, the Nats got the best of them, 4-3.
They came into Sunday’s game with low expectations for a series sweep. They were set to face the Nats’ ace in Max Scherzer, while sending career minor-leaguer Sean O’Sullivan to the mound. However, O’Sullivan nearly matched Scherzer in effectiveness. They both threw six innings, with Scherzer giving up one run, and O’Sullivan giving up two. Scherzer’s complete line was 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 102 pitches. O’Sullivan’s was 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 91 pitches.
With the Phils down 2-1 in the seventh, Darin Ruf tied the game with his first home run of the year. But in the tenth inning, a Justin De Fratus wild pitch (which could’ve just as easily been charged to Cameron Rupp), allowed Yunel Escobar to score from third and take the lead. The run was charged to Jake Diekman, who took the loss. They would also score another run in the inning, which would prove to be the deciding factor, as the Phils scored one in the bottom of the tenth.
Ryan Howard had a day he’d like to forget. He struck out four times, all of which were inning-ending and with men on base. He left four RISP, and six total. I’d say it was among his worst 20 or so games.
Although he got the loss, Jake Diekman looked very good. A good sign after his disastrous season debut.
The Phillies head up to New York for the Mets home opener at Citi Field tomorrow at 1:10 PM EST. Jacob deGrom and Aaron Harang will be the starting pitchers.
