Categories: 2019 Postgame Recaps

Rhys Hoskins’ 10th home run leads Phillies by Nationals

Rhys Hoskins already has 10 home runs in 2019. (Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

The Philadelphia Phillies were able to start off a three-game weekend series with the Washington Nationals well Friday night with a 4-2 victory.

The game started out as a pitching duel through the first five innings, as Jeremy Hellickson and Jerad Eickhoff only gave up three runs combined. Meanwhile, the Phillies and Nationals struck out a combined 21 times.

In the bottom of the first, the Phillies were able to get on the board first. With one out and a 2-0 count, Jean Segura sent a four-seam fastball from Hellickson over the right field fence, giving the Phillies a 1-0 lead. It was Segura’s second home run of the year, and his first since April 14:

However, the Phillies would not have the lead for long. In the top of the third, Eickhoff allowed a walk to Hellickson. Two batters later, Adam Eaton singled to give the Nationals runners on first and second. Former Phillie Howie Kendrick then drove in Hellickson from second base with an RBI single, knotting the game at 1-1.

The Nationals finally broke the offensive drought in the top of the sixth when Kurt Suzuki hit his third home run of the year off of Seranthony Dominguez, who came on in relief of Eickhoff. That gave Washington a 2-1 lead, their first of the game.

However, the Nationals would soon run into the slugger that is Rhys Hoskins. After a single by Segura and a Bryce Harper walk, Hoskins teed off a three-run home run against Dan Jennings, who had relieved Hellickson. That gave Hoskins his team-leading 10th home run of the season:

The Nationals were unable to muster any more offense after Suzuki’s solo shot, and the trio of Adam Morgan, Pat Neshek and Hector Neris helped to secure the Phillies win.

Philadelphia now sit on top of the National League East with an 18-13 record, while Washington falls five games behind with a 13-18 record.

Shibe Vintage Sports Pitching Performance

Jerad Eickhoff once again gave the Phillies a solid start, going five innings while giving up three hits, one run and three walks. He struck out seven. Eickhoff finished off the game with 87 pitches, so it is fair to wonder if he could have gone one more inning. Eickhoff’s start brought his ERA down to a remarkable 2.05.

Jeremy Hellickson pitched a solid, if unspectacular, 5.1 innings, giving up two runs, while allowing four hits and no walks. He did, however, strike out nine batters. He finished the day with 79 pitches thrown.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Rhys Hoskins

While many figured Bryce Harper would have been the vocal point of the offense up to this point, Rhys Hoskins has been the brightest star. Thanks to his three-run shot that gave the Phillies a 4-2 lead, the first baseman now leads the team with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs, and is second on the team in hits. Overall, Hoskins had two hits in three at-bats tonight, bringing his average up to .288.