The first inning was plenty cause for concern for Phillies fans. Roy Halladay, off a tough start in Chicago, was incredibly wild to start. In the first inning alone, Halladay allowed a hit and three walks. Yet, thanks to a sacrifice fly and a ground ball double play, Halladay escaped allowing just one run in the first. And that's all Halladay would allow in six innings of work.
The Phillies' offense was not too sharp against Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann who came with his A game. The only runs Zimmermann would allow in his seven innings of work came in the second inning. Cody Asche and John Mayberry opened the second inning with back-to-back singles. Roy Halladay would move them over with a sacrifice bunt, and Cesar Hernandez would double to drive in both Asche and Mayberry.
The Phillies held a 2-1 lead until Halladay departed. Zach Miner relieved Halladay in the seventh inning and was greeted with a Ryan Zimmerman home run after getting one out. The game was tied at two. Miner did not give up any more runs and passed the ball to Jake Diekman to start the eighth. Diekman would be haunted by a leadoff walk to catcher Wil Ramos.
Ramos was pinch-run for by September call-up Jeff Kobernus who was bunted to second by pinch hitter Scott Hairston. Kobernus stole third base. Then, a Steve Lombardozzi ground ball to second base would allow Kobernus to score the third and go-ahead run for the Nationals. Utley attempted to throw Kobernus out instead of throwing to first and was unsuccessful. Luckily, the extra baserunner would not hurt the Phillies.
The Phillies threatened in the bottom of the eighth, but Chase Utley was thrown out trying to score on a passed ball. After a scoreless ninth by Jonathan Papelbon, the Phillies had to face Nationals closer Rafael Soriano. Soriano was perfect himself, and untucked his jersey in celebration upon striking out Roger Bernadina to end the game. The Phillies lose 3-2.
The Phillies are off tomorrow before starting a three-game series against Atlanta beginning Friday evening at 7:05.
