With a win tonight, the Washington Nationals would have locked up a winning record against the Philliesfor the 2013 season. Originally, it seemed certain that they would clinch it tonight with Stephen Strasburg being tabbed for the start. However, some arm stiffness resulted in Strasburg being scratched from the game. Ross Ohlendorf would make the start for Washington instead. For the Phillies, Kyle Kendrick would make attempt to somehow right the ship that has seen his season statistics balloon in the second half of the season.
The game got off to a good start for Philly. Cesar Hernandez led the game off with a walk. A one-out single by Chase Utley moved Hernandez up to third for the slugging Carlos Ruiz. He would come through once again, this time with a single to bring in the first run of the game and giving the Phils a 1-0 lead after just half an inning.
In the bottom hal of the first, Ryan Zimmerman recorded a single off Kendrick. Jayson Werth followed with a walk to put two runners on base. A line out by Bryce Harper for the second out seemed to be the end of the Nationals threat. However, Ian Desmond was able to beat out an infield single to Cody Asche at third and bring in the tying run. Make it a 1-1 ball game.
Things would soon get ugly for Philly. Wilson Ramos led off the second inning with a solo homerun, moving the Washington lead to 2-1. Ryan Zimmerman would record a leadoff solo homerun of his own in the third inning, leading to a 3-1 National advantage. It would eventually get out of hand in the fifth. Singles by Zimmerman and Harper sandwhiched a Werth walk to load the bases with one away. Ian Desmond would record his second infield single of the game, and brought in another run. Cesar Jimenez would come into the game in relief, and was able to set Adam LaRoche down on srikes. Luis Garcia would come on and give up a two out infield hit to Ramos that brought home Werth. Harper would also come in on a mishandled ball on the play, and the Nationals jumped out to a 6-1 lead.
Despite eight hits in the contest, the Phillies could only manage to score a single run, and took the 6-1 loss in Washington D.C. It not only signified a season series victory for the Nationals, but the continuation of an unbearable stretch for Kyle Kendrick. With the end of the season in sight, Ryne Sandberg and his coaching staff may just decide to allow Kendrick to finish out the season in the rotation. However, headed toward free agency, Kyle and his agent may have to worry about his current streak. Tomorrow night, it's almost certain to be a low-scoring contest. Cole Hamels will take on Gio Gonzalez at 7:05 in Game Two of the series.
