Categories: 2022 Postgame Recaps

Maikel Franco, Nationals salvage final game against Phillies

Maikel Franco and the Nationals defeated the Phillies Sunday. (All-Pro Reels)

Final: Nationals 9, Phillies 3

Maikel Franco drove in three runs against his former team Sunday, as the Washington Nationals avoided being swept at home in a five-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Franco got the scoring started against Zach Eflin in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI single. The big blow in the frame, though, came in the form of a 428-foot home run hit by Juan Soto, a three-run shot:

Eflin exited the game after just two innings pitched, giving way to Andrew Bellatti, who struggled in 1 1/3 innings. With the Phillies already down 5-2 and runners on second and third base in the bottom of the fourth inning, Corey Knebel came in to try to keep the game from getting out of hand. Knebel, no longer the closer, did get Soto to fly out to left. But after intentionally walking the red-hot Josh Bell to load the bases, Knebel unintentionally walked Nelson Cruz to force a run in.

Given that the two teams played a doubleheader Friday and back-to-back extra-inning games, the Phillies bullpen was thin on options Sunday. Needing to get through seven innings after the early exit of Eflin, interim manager Rob Thomson sent Knebel back out for the bottom of the fifth inning.

Luis García singled off of Knebel to get the inning started, before Franco connected on a fastball for a two-run home run:

Washington would tack on a final run in the bottom of the seventh inning, with Yadiel Hernández singling in García against Nick Nelson. That would prove to be the game’s final run, with the Phillies managing just one hit over the final four innings of the game.

With the loss, the Phillies drop to 36-32. Meanwhile, the Nationals are now 24-46 after winning Sunday’s contest.

The Phillies will be off Monday, before opening a quick two-game series against the Texas Rangers up Tuesday evening. Former Ranger Kyle Gibson will get the ball for the Phillies in their first trip to Globe Life Field.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Zach Eflin allowed five hits and four earned runs over two innings Sunday afternoon. At the time of publication, we’re still waiting to hear if the right knee that’s bothered him is why he was taken out so quickly in the series finale.

Jackson Tetreault pitched very well in his second Major League start, going seven innings and limiting the Phillies to just six hits. He gave up three runs, but all of them were unearned.

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