Phillies offense explodes against Nationals in fourth straight win

The Philadelphia Phillies offense exploded in Washington on Wednesday night as the Phillies defeated the Nationals 9-5 at Nationals Park for their fourth win in a row.

Philadelphia started its scoring with a four-run top of the third inning, which dug them out of an early 3-0 hole. Travis Jankowski and Jean Segura hit back-to-back RBI doubles, Bryce Harper singled home Segura and Rhys Hoskins hit a double to score Harper, putting the Phillies ahead 4-3.

They faced an early deficit as their starter Chase Anderson allowed a home run on the first pitch of the game to Nationals leadoff batter Victor Robles and back-to-back homers to Luis García and Carter Kieboom in the second.

Hoskins hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning, and Didi Gregorius knocked in Hoskins with a two-run home run of his own to the second deck in right field. Harper then hit an RBI double in the eighth.

JD Hammer relieved Anderson in the fifth. He got the first two outs of the inning before being replaced by left-hander Matt Moore.

Moore pitched effectively, allowing two runs on García’s second home run of the game in the seventh and a Kieboom RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

Ian Kennedy entered for Moore after the hit, coming in to shut the door and bring the Phillies record to 55-53.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

• Anderson was hit hard early by the Nationals in his return to the rotation. He allowed three solo home runs in the first two innings, but limited the damage to pitch two more scoreless. With the right-hander’s fastball hovering around 90 mph, the long ball could be a recurring theme if Anderson continues as a starter.
• The Phillies offense did serious damage against Washington starter Paolo Espino, who gave up eight hits and six runs in five innings.

Phillies Nugget Of The Game

Bryce Harper’s OPS is now up to .974. Only three Phillies since 2000 have finished a season with an OPS that high – Jim Thome (2004, .977), Ryan Howard (2006, 1.084 and 2007, .976) and Chase Utley (2007, .976).

— Jonny Heller (@JonnyHeller) August 5, 2021

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Thursday, Aug. 5, vs. Nationals at Nationals Park
• 4:05 p.m.
• NBC Sports Philadelphia
• SportsRadio 94WIP

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