Andrew McCutchen’s walk-off home run helps Phillies secure 50th win of season

Final Score: Phillies 6, Nationals 5

So much about this era of Philadelphia Phillies baseball has become eerily predictable, and it felt for 25 outs like that would be the story Monday.

Instead, we’ll wait a night before discussing Spencer Howard’s velocity dip after having to run the bases. Or his exit with a blister on his right middle finger. Or perplexing bunt attempts from Ronald Torreyes and Brad Miller in the bottom of the sixth inning. Or even another costly defensive miscue from Didi Gregorius.

Make no mistake, Monday evening’s Phillies win over the Washington Nationals didn’t make the team look like a World Series contender. But an Andrew McCutchen walk-off home run off of Brad Hand puts the unquestionable issues that surround this team and era of Phillies baseball on the back-burner for an evening:

That’s Andrew McCLUTCHen to you!
pic.twitter.com/1YEpEiQVD4

— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) July 27, 2021

When the Phillies needed it, three of their big offensive performers — Jean Segura, Bryce Harper and McCutchen — came through. And with that, the Phillies are 50-49, very much in play in the National League East with the trade deadline looming.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

• Joe Ross pitched five shutout innings for the Nationals Monday, limiting Phillies to just three hits. Ross — who has a 3.80 ERA in 2021 — is the type of pitcher that the Phillies need to solidify the back-end of their rotation after Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Zach Eflin. He’s not going to compete for the National League Cy Young Award, but he’ll give you five innings and typically keep you in the game.
• Regardless of what caused Spencer Howard to leave the game after 3 2/3 innings, he appeared to be unraveling before he left the field with the trainer. On one hand, this may be the final season of pitchers batting. On the other hand, Howard may just be better geared to be a multi-inning reliever, as opposed to someone you lean on to throw 150-175 innings per season.

Phillies Nugget Of The Game

Spencer Howard still hasn’t allowed a single earned run in the first two innings this season. This does not hold true for innings three and beyond, obviously.

— Jonny Heller (@JonnyHeller) July 27, 2021

Postgame Notes

Spencer Howard on McCutchen’s home run: “I think everybody was feeling that he was going to do it. It wasn’t a really a surprise. It was like ‘There he is, there’s Cutch again.’

— Destiny Lugardo (@destiny_lugardo) July 27, 2021

Spencer Howard didn't seem to think that his blister will prevent him from pitching on Saturday. Of course, we don't know what the Phillies roster will look like by then.

— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) July 27, 2021

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Tuesday, July 27 vs. Nationals at Citizens Bank Park
• 7:05 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

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