Categories: 2020 Postgame Recaps

Phillies beat Nationals behind good offense, Jake Arrieta’s solid start

Jake Arrieta’s excellent start was cut short due to a rain delay (Ian D’Andrea)

The Phillies used an efficient start from Jake Arrieta and a good night from the lineup to win their second consecutive game as they beat the Washington Nationals, 8-2.

A four-run third inning fueled by J.T. Realmuto’s three-run home run proved to be the difference, as Arrieta bounced back from a tough stretch and the Phillies bullpen had one of its best games of the season. The Phillies improve to 11-14 on the season and are tied with the New York Mets for third place in the NL East.

Top Plays

The Phillies threatened in the first inning against Nationals starter Erick Fedde, with Andrew McCutchen reaching on an error and Rhys Hoskins following with a walk. But Bryce Harper grounded into a double play, and J.T. Realmuto flew out to right field to end the inning.
The Nationals got on the board early with a leadoff home run by Trea Turner in the bottom of the first.

The Nationals threatened in the second after a double by Luis Garcia and walk by Eric Thames put runners on the corners with one out. But Carter Kieboom grounded into an inning-ending double play, and the Nationals lead remained 1-0.
Scott Kingery hit a double off the wall with one out in the top of the third, and came around to score on a single by Andrew McCutchen.
Then, after Rhys Hoskins singled and Bryce Harper flew out, J.T. Realmuto hit an opposite-field home run that hit the top of the fence and bounced over, giving the Phillies a 4-1 lead.

Meanwhile, Arrieta settled in well. He allowed just three more baserunners after the Turner home run, and finished the fifth inning at just 54 pitches.
Nationals center fielder Victor Robles made an incredible play on a sixth inning fly ball off the bat of Alec Bohm and doubled up Jean Segura at first on a perfect throw.

After Arrieta was forced to leave the game due to the rain delay, recent acquisition Heath Hembree entered the game for the Phillies. Hembree retired the first two batters he faced but allowed a solo home run to Adam Eaton that cut the Phillies lead to 4-2.
The Phillies got one back in the top of the seventh. Roman Quinn reached first on a bunt, and came around to third after a stolen base and a wild pitch. He scored on a ground ball by Andrew McCutchen to extend the Phillies lead to 5-2.

Tommy Hunter retired the side in the bottom of the seventh, allowing Kurt Suzuki to reach on a base hit but quickly erasing him on a Luis Garcia double play.
The Phillies added one more in the top of the eighth on an RBI single from Alec Bohm after Didi Gregorius reached on a double.
The Nationals threatened in the bottom of the eighth on base hits by Robles and Eaton against Hector Neris. But Adam Morgan came in and got Juan Soto to ground out to end the inning.
The Phillies added two more in the top of the ninth. After loading the bases on an Andrew McCutchen walk and two intentional walks by Bryce Harper and Didi Gregorius, Jean Segura hit a single in the hole on the right side that extended the Phillies lead to 8-2.
Blake Parker allowed an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth on an error by Rhys Hoskins, but finished the inning as the Phillies still held on for an 8-3 win.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Erick Fedde: 5 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR

Fedde pitched relatively well outside of the third inning, when he allowed a four-run inning that was capitalized by J.T. Realmuto’s three-run home run.

Jake Arrieta: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR

Arrieta has struggled in his last several starts, and his struggles appeared to be continuing when he allowed a leadoff home run to Trea Turner. But he settled in afterwards, and looked sure to pitch deep into the game before the rain delay knocked him out after the fifth inning. He was helped by three double plays on the night.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: J.T. Realmuto

Realmuto has been unbelievable this year, and his third inning home run proved to be the difference in this game. Realmuto leads all major league catchers in home runs and RBIs, and has been excellent as the Phillies cleanup hitter so far in 2020.

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