Phillies offense stifled in deflating loss to Nationals

Heading into Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Nationals, the Phillies were clinging to a half game lead over the Brewers and Giants for the final National League playoff spot. Now, after a disappointing 5-1 loss in game one of their twinbill, the Phillies are even closer to playing themselves out of a postseason berth.

On a day where ace Aaron Nola was on the hill, the Phillies looked to have the pitching advantage. Nationals starter Austin Voth came into the game with an 0-5 record and an ERA of 7.17. Unfortunately, the Phils made him look like a completely different pitcher as Voth tossed his best game of 2020.

The Phillies offense couldn’t get anything going, creating just one situation with runners in scoring position. If the Phils want to make a push for the playoffs, they’ll need to take the second game of this doubleheader and win tomorrow in order to keep the pressure on Milwaukee and San Francisco.

Top Plays

• The Nationals got on the board first thanks to a Phillies gaffe. With two down in the first, Juan Soto reached on a misread by Mickey Moniak in left. Soto got to second on the play.
• Asdrubal Cabrera knocked a single to right, plating Soto and giving the Nationals an early 1-0 lead.
• In the third the Phillies threatened with two on and two out. Bryce Harper walked to load the bases, but Alec Bohm grounded out sharply to short, ending the inning.
• Andrew Stevenson and Trea Turner hit back-to-back doubles to make it 2-0 Washington in the third.
• After an intentional walk to Juan Soto, both Soto and Turner stole second and third, respectively to set up a good opportunity for the Nats. Asdrubal Cabrera couldn’t get it done, grounding into a force with the runner out at home.
• Brock Holt did get it done though. The midseason pick-up for Washington lined a double to right, off the glove of Jay Bruce at first, which scored a run easily. Bryce Harper booted the ball in right, allowing another run to score and make it 4-0 Nationals.

Watch out for that wall, Bryce ? pic.twitter.com/FsDNfvhs0j

— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) September 22, 2020

• Nola got the second out, but Luis Garcia hit an infield single to short, bringing in Brock Holt and extending the Washington lead to 5-0.
• Philadelphia finally got on the board in the fourth courtesy of a Jean Segura solo blast

Rough start for the Phils. Maybe this hit gets them going.

pic.twitter.com/DEt3G4JRfX

— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) September 22, 2020

• Spoiler alert: Segura’s hit didn’t get the Phillies going. They were unable to put together any other scoring opportunities the rest of the way, falling by four to the Nationals.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Aaron Nola: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 K, 0 HR, 94 pitches

Nola didn’t have his best stuff, but his start looks a lot worse than it was. The defense behind him made his day far worse than it should have been. That being said, Nola still allowed some very hard hit balls, especially in the third with the Phillies already trailing. Whether or not the Phillies can lock up a playoff spot prior to the last game of the season will determine if we see Nola in the regular season again.

Austin Voth: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 0 HR, 105 pitches

Voth put together one of the best starts in his three-year career against the Phillies as the Nationals continue to try and spoiler to Philadelphia’s playoff hopes. The right-hander struck out a season-high seven and held the Phillies offense to just three hits. Over his last four outings, Voth has lowered his ERA from 8.26 to 6.25

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Austin Voth

This one was easy. The 28-year-old dominated the Phillies in game one of Tuesday’s doubleheader, holding an offense with Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, Jean Segura and rookie standout Alec Bohm to just three hits.

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Doubleheader Game 2: Tuesday, September 22 vs. Washington Nationals, Nationals Park
• NBC Sports Philadelphia, MLB Network (out-of-market only)
• SportsRadio 94WIP

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