Categories: 2019 Postgame Recaps

Maikel Franco’s walk-off home run helps Phillies avoid sweep

Maikel Franco had a big weekend for the Phillies. (Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

After losing two first two games of the three-game series against the Washington Nationals, the Phillies were desperate for a win in order to maintain ground in the National League East division race. They were able to get that win behind Maikel Franco and Jake Arrieta.

It wouldn’t be until the fourth inning that the scoring got started. The Nationals struck first off of Arrieta. After Anthony Rendon doubled in the top of the fourth, Matt Adams was able to drive him home with an RBI single, making it a 1-0 Washington game:

The Nationals wouldn’t have the upper hand for long, however. In the bottom of the fourth, Jean Segura started off the frame with a double of his own off of Nationals starter Anibal Sanchez. Three batters later, he would be driven home by All-Star J.T. Realmuto:

The Phillies offense would continue to chug ahead in the bottom of the fifth inning. After a Franco walk, rookie Adam Haseley singled, setting up a situation where the Phillies had runners on first and second with no outs. While it looked like the opportunity would go wasted after two outs followed, Jean Segura capitalized with an RBI single, bringing home Franco. That gave the Phillies their first lead of the game, 2-1.

The Phillies would add to their lead thanks to Realmuto, who sent a 377-foot solo shot over the right-field fence in the bottom of the sixth. It was the catcher’s eleventh home run of the season, and it made it a 3-1 game:

Momentum looked to be on the Phillies side until the top of the seventh when J.D. Hammer came in to pitch. The rookie reliever has been solid this season, coming into today with a 3.10 ERA. However, he wasn’t at his best Sunday, walking two straight batters before allow RBI singles to Howie Kendrick and Trea Turner, both of which helped knot the game at three:

The next few innings would consist of both teams failing to muster much offense. However, in the bottom of the ninth, Maikel Franco helped to give this game a taste of drama. With one out, Franco sent one deep to left-center field. Franco knew the ball was gone the minute it went into the air, as he flipped his bat and pointed in the direction of the Phillies dugout. That home run gave the Phillies a 4-3 victory, keeping them from suffering a sweep:

With the win, the Phillies go to 48-45 on the season and remain one victory behind the 49-43 Nationals. They’ll look to build on this win when they face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow, who are currently in first in the National League West.

Shibe Vintage Sports Pitching Performance:

Arrieta’s hasn’t been in the greatest stretch of his career lately, with the Todd Frazier debacle and the need for an inevitable surgery. However, he came to play this afternoon giving the Phillies five innings while giving up just one run and four hits while striking out two. He also allowed two walks.
Anibal Sanchez picked up a quality start for the Nationals, pitching six innings and giving up three runs, six hits and two walks. He struck out two batters.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Maikel Franco

It’s tough for the player who walks off with a home run to not be the player of the game. In this case, it’s Maikel Franco. His solo shot kept the Phillies from falling further down the division behind the Nationals and Atlanta Braves. On the day, he went one for three with two runs scored and one walk.