Phillies drop fifth straight in loss to the Nationals
Bryce Harper went 2-for-4 with a run scored in tonight’s game. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire)
The Philadelphia Phillies (79-79) drop their fourth consecutive game against the Washington Nationals (89-69) by a final of 5-2. They drop to .500 for the first time since they came into Opening Day with a 0-0 record and are in danger of being swept by D.C. in five games.
Per the Athletic’s Matt Gelb, Rhys Hoskins came into this game 0 for his last 25. Since his last hit, his batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage have all dropped by at least 10 points. He finally got off the schneid in the fourth and got himself a RBI. Hoskins hit a ground ball past the diving glove of Brian Dozier at second to earn his first knock since his opposite field home run in Atlanta last Tuesday:
The Nationals responded immediately. On Drew Smyly’s first full count of the game, Howie Kendrick crushed a high and outside fastball to the Phillies bullpen in left-center field for a solo home run to tie the game:
The Phillies retook the lead on Brad Miller’s third deck rocket of a home run to right. It’s his 10th home run in a Phillies uniform and sixth home run in the month of September:
The lead would not last long. Gabe Kapler decided to pull Smyly in favor of Mike Morin to face the right-hander Yan Gomes. That proved to be the wrong decision as Yan Gomes doubled to right field to set up second and third with one out for Victor Robles, who drove in the tying run on a sacrifice fly. A Wilmer Difo single gave the Nationals a 3-2 lead.
José Álvarez, the Phillies most consistent bullpen arm, gave up two runs in the eighth off a solo home run from Dozier and a Juan Soto sacrifice fly. The returning Juan Nicasio, who hasn’t pitched since August 23rd, got the final two outs to stop the bleeding.
The Phillies offense was unable to get anyone home after Segura knocked a one-out double in the ninth. Jason Vargas and Stephen Strasburg will take the mound in tomorrow’s afternoon finale.
Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance
Drew Smyly: 6.1 IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 10SO
Smyly was dealing in what will likely go down as his final start in a Phillies uniform. His 12-6 curveball looked phenomenal and he was getting ahead of almost every hitter he faced. His first 3-2 count came in the fourth inning, which is a testament to just how well Smyly was operating inside the strike zone. It’s unfortunate that he left the game with a no-decision because he deserved another W to his name to end the season:
Aníbal Sánchez: 7.0 IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 7SO
Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Wilmer Difo
It was a pretty good night and the plate for the eight-hole hitter. His RBI single in the seventh inning gave Washington the lead. He went 2-for-3 with a RBI and a strikeout in this game.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Thursday, 4:05 vs. Washington Nationals at Nationals Park
- NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Sportsradio 94 WIP; WTTM 1680 (Spanish). Radio broadcast subject to change due to Eagles pre-game.
