2019 Postgame Recaps

Rhys Hoskins homers twice, Phillies defeat Nationals to move to 7-2

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Rhys Hoskins has homered in three straight games. (Ian D’Andrea)

Final: Phillies 4, Nationals 2

What the Philadelphia Phillies lacked as their postseason opportunities faded away later in 2018, was a player beyond Rhys Hoskins that was able to carry the offense when Hoskins was slumping. They added multiple other star offensive talents this offseason – highlighted by Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto – to prevent that from being the case in 2019. And when Hoskins goes into a hot streak, look out.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

There was once a thought that Vince Velasquez could be the Phillies ace. Some still think he has the physical tools to put things together and be a front-line starter. But in 2019, the Phillies are asking Velasquez to be their fifth starter. By the standards of a back-of-the-rotation arm, Velasquez’s first start of the 2019 season was pretty serviceable.

The lone runs that Velasquez gave up came in the second inning, when he hung a slider and Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki made him pay:

Velasquez got some assistance from his fielders in the top of the fourth inning. Bryce Harper cut off a single into right-center field by Suzuki, hit Jean Segura, the cutoff man, and Segura fired home to J.T. Realmuto, who tagged Ryan Zimmerman, as Zimmerman attempted to score from first base:

Anibal Sanchez, who was making his second start against the Phillies in as many weeks, had excellent stuff, but allowed the Phillies to tie the game at two on an Odubel Herrera home run in the home half of the fourth inning:

And in the bottom of the sixth, after a scoreless top half from Seranthony Dominguez, Rhys Hoskins went deep off of Sanchez with one out:

It was Hoskins’ third home run in as many days and fourth overall in 2019. Rather remarkably, he’s already the second Phillie to have hit a home run in three consecutive games in the 2019 season. Bryce Harper did it earlier this month.

Sanchez lasted five-and-two-thirds innings, scattering seven hits and three runs. He took his first loss of the season, despite outpitching Velasquez for much of the night.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Rhys Hoskins

Bryce Harper reached base just one time Monday, but one of the Phillies other big bats picked him up. Hoskins had the aforementioned home run in the bottom of the sixth off of Sanchez. In the bottom of the eighth, he added an insurance run on his second home run of the night:

Hoskins’ second home run proved to be crucial, as the Nationals led off the top of the ninth inning with a home run off of the bat of Brian Dozier. Ultimately, Hoskins’ second home run decided the outcome of the game.

In total, Hoskins now has five home runs and 16 RBIs through the Phillies first nine games of the 2019 season. As we outlined prior to the season, it will be an uphill battle for Hoskins to be an All-Star in the National League with Paul Goldschmidt, Joey Votto, Freddie Freeman, Anthony Rizzo and Jesus Aguilar among his competition. But so far, so good for the 26-year-old in his second full major league season.

Next Game

  • Tuesday April 9 vs. Washington Nationals
  • Citizens Bank Park
  • 7:05 p.m.
  • NBC Sports Philadelphia +
  • SportsRadio 94 WIP

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