Having been eliminated from playoff contention before the start of last night's game, the Phillies have accepted their role as spoiler for the rest of the 2013 season. With the finale of their season series against NL East rival Washington, the Phillies had an opportunity to halt the hot streak the Nationals have been on of late. In order to accomplish this task, they would need young Tyler Cloyd to step up his game and perform a bit better than he has been of late. To make things even more difficult, the Nationals would be sending Jordan Zimmermann to the mound, who's been nothing short of productive in the past two season for the nation's capital.
After two 1-2-3 frames for both team's in he first inning, the Phillies would be the first to strike. Domonic Brown, making his return to the starting lineup, led off the second inning with a double. Darin Ruf, next at the plate, would be hit by a pitch. Third basemen Cody Asche followed up with a single to load the bases. With the ultimate RBI opportunity, Kevin Frandsen lifted a ball into left field for a sacrifice fly, and the first run of the day for either squad. However, Erik Kratz and Tyler Cloyd each made disappointing outs to leave the lead at just 1-0.
Bryce Harper led off the home half of the second with his own double. After Cloyd was able to retire the next two batters, Wilson Ramos came through with a single to score Harper. The Phillies would get that run back in the next half inning in a similar fashion. Roger Bernadina led it off with a double, moved over to third on a Jimmy Rollins ground out, and was brought in to score when Chase Utley rolled a ball over. 2-1 Phillies lead.
In the fourth, the Nationals would take the lead, and begin to pull away. Bryce Harper would double once again, and would also score again when Ian Desmond doubled. Adam LaRoche flew out, but Wilson Ramos came through again with an RBI single. Jordan Zimmermann would come up and help his own cause by recording an RBI single to make the Washington lead 4-2.
Two singles and a wild pitch allowed to Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth in the fifth spelled the end of Tyler Cloyd's day, but not before they took a 5-2 lead. Wilson Ramos homered in the sixth for another National run, but the real onslaught would occur in the seventh. Joe Savery would surrender back-to-back one out singles to Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper in that inning. After each man stole a base, Savery gave up a 2 RBI single to Ian Desmond. After he gave up a single to Adam LaRoche, Savery was lifted in favor of Mauricio Robles. After a wild pitch let each runner move up a base, Wilson Ramos again made his presence heard, this time with a 2 RBI single. Then, with two outs, consecutive singles by Scott Hairston and Denard Span brought in the eleventh run of the game, making the score 11-2 in Washington's favor.
Thankfully, that would be the end of scoring. However, the Nationals routed Tyler Cloyd and the Phillies today for an 11-2 thrashing. For a team that is already out of playoff contention and looking to ruin other teams' seasons, this game wasn't too pleasing for the Phils. For the crowd that is pushing for the team to lose to improve their draft choice, though, more than likely enjoyed the outcome. Tomorrow night, the Phillies return home to face the Jose Fernandez-less Miami Marlins. Cliff Lee will take on Sam Dyson at 7:05.
