Sometimes getting away from home can be for the best. The pressures of playing in front of the home crowd and not performing can be taxing, especially for a Phillies (24-32) team that has been shutout seven times in their last 27 games. Unfortunately, we saw no change in game one of the three-game series against the Nationals (28-28) last night. After being routed by the Mets, 11-2, on Monday night, Ryne Sandberg called a team meeting, hoping to spark the offense and get things back on track. Apparently, it wasn't even close to enough, as the Phillies were dominated by Washington, 7-0. Tonight, they move forward hoping for any sort of bright spot against the dangerous arm of Stephen Strasburg.
AJ Burnett has been seeking redemption for a while now. His first month with the team was an impressive one. He posted a 2.15 ERA through six starts and held opposing teams to two runs or less in five of those six outings. May was a different story for the Phillies right-hander, who is coming off of a game against the Mets where he served up five runs in seven innings that included six walks and 11 strikeouts. Burnett was wild, yet somewhat effective and the Phils ended up winning the game, their only one against New York, in 14 innings. Even though he "kept them in the game", Burnett struggled all month with his control. He walked four or more batters in half of his starts in May, resulting in more runs for the other team. After setting a high standard with his low ERA for April, it has raised to 5.50 for the month of May. It may sit at a 3.79 right now, but Burnett has given up five or more runs in three of his starts last month. With May in the rear view mirror, Burnett has a fresh start here in June, where he can hopefully regain some of the shutdown baseball he showed us in the opening month of the season. The veteran righty knew his walk numbers were unacceptable after his last outing against the Mets. (via Phillies.com)
"I've got some work to do," Burnett said. "The walks. Two a game is fine. Six? No."
The Nationals will send ace Stephen Strasburg (4-4, 3.15) to the mound, who has a 2-1 record against Philadelphia in his career with an impressive 2.28 ERA. Strasburg earned a win his last time out against the Rangers, pitching six strong innings, giving up two unearned runs while striking out nine in a 9-2 Nationals win. The 25-year-old right-hander was impressive throughout the month of May, holding opposing teams to three runs or less in each of his six starts. Though he was successful and effective on the mound, the Nationals only went 3-3 with him on the hill last month after going 5-2 in his first seven starts. He holds the current Phillies to a combined average of .227. Marlon Byrd (4-for-9) and Carlos Ruiz (4-for-10) have had the most success against Strasburg, with Byrd posting a double, home run and four RBI's. Domonic Brown has struck out five times in nine at-bats against the Nats righty while Jimmy Rollins has been set down on strikes eight times in 20 plate appearances. Stephen Strasburg has not allowed an earned run against the Phillies in his last 21 innings against them.
Game Notes:
- After being sent down to the minors, Darin Ruf suffered a sprained left wrist and sustained a cut on his right knee that will require stitches when he slid into the wall in foul territory during yesterday's Ironpigs game.
- Newly called-up reliever, Ethan Martin, made his debut last night, tossing two scoreless innings, walking one and striking out one.
- The Phillies lineup is the same as yesterday, which is not a surprise considering the lack of bench options they have right now.
- On May 2nd, the Phillies scored three unearned runs against Strasburg in six innings, but lost 5-3.
- Stephen Strasburg leads the National League with 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings.
- Jayson Werth has hit .367 (33 for 90) with 18 RBIs in his last 24 games against the Phillies.
Phillies Lineup:
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Marlon Byrd RF
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Carlos Ruiz C
- Domonic Brown LF
- Reid Brignac 3B
- Ben Revere CF
- A.J. Burnett P
Nationals Lineup:
- Denard Span CF
- Anthony Rendon 3B
- Jayson Werth RF
- Adam LaRoche 1B
- Ryan Zimmerman LF
- Wilson Ramos C
- Ian Desmond SS
- Dany Espinosa SS
- Stephen Strasburg P
Location: Nationals Park, Washington, DC
Weather: 82° F – Overcast – 14% PoP
Game Time: 7:05 PM Eastern
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ApterShock
