Final Score: Phillies 11, Nationals 5
The Phillies began taking batting practice on the field at around 4:30 p.m. before Saturday’s game against the Washington Nationals. They took another round a couple hours later against Nationals starter Patrick Corbin, who couldn’t escape the first inning for the second time in his last three starts.
The game quickly got out of hand as the Phillies put up a six spot in the first frame. Rhys Hoskins opened the scoring with a 441-foot blast for his third first inning home run in as many days.
Matt Vierling went down and barreled up an 82 mph slider for a three-run home run to give his team a 4-0 lead. Three of his four home runs this season have come against Washington.
J.T. Realmuto is on an absolute tear. He tripled and homered for a second-consecutive game. Since July 11, Realmuto is batting .393 with a .456 on-base percentage.
The Nationals had 13 hits against Phillies pitching. Starter Ranger Suárez gave up seven hits (three were infield hits) over 5 1/3 innings, but he pitched well enough to pick up his eighth victory of the season. The home run surrendered in the sixth against Luke Voit was his first earned run allowed since June 29, his last start before going on the injured list. It broke a 21-inning scoreless streak.
Shaking off the rust
Rob Thomson said before the game that he was not concerned yet about the lack of innings for his relievers in recent days. Brad Hand was the only pitcher out of the ‘pen that has thrown since Wednesday.
“You don’t want to overwork them, but you don’t want them sitting out there for four or five days without seeing a hitter,” Thomson said. “It can affect different people in different ways.”
Nick Nelson, Andrew Bellatti, José Alvarado and Corey Knebel were all working on at least three days rest. Some were shaking off more rust than others.
Nelson was not sharp in his last two outings and was battling command issues again tonight. He allowed two inherited runners to score and another to come across to give the Nationals a tiny slither of hope in the sixth. Knebel allowed three runners to reach base safely with a six-run lead, forcing the Phillies to get David Robertson up in the bullpen.
None of it really mattered at the end as Knebel was able to secure an 11-5 win. The Phillies have now won five-consecutive series against the Nationals and 17 of 19 dating back to last season. They will try for a sweep on Sunday. Aaron Nola will be opposed by Cory Abbott.
Shibe Vintage Sports Notes
- The Phillies announced that right-handed pitcher Jeurys Familia and outfielder Odúbel Herrera have been released. Left-handed pitcher Ryan Sherriff cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
- Corbin has allowed 29 runs (22 earned) in his last five starts against Philadelphia dating back to July 2021. He allowed 28 runs in 11 previous starts against the Phillies.
- Hoskins became the first Phillie since at least 1900 to hit a home run in the first inning in three consecutive games.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Sunday, Aug. 7 vs. Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park
- 1:35 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Radio: Sportsradio 94 WIP
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