Phillies Defeat Nationals Behind Hoskins’ Home Run, Neris’ Save

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Thanks to Rhys Hoskins' three-run home run, his 10th, the Philadelphia Phillies (18-13) captured their fifth win out of their last six games Friday evening, with a 4-2 win over former club RHP Jeremy Hellickson and the Washington Nationals (13-18) at Citizens Bank Park.

Having extended his season-high hitting streak to six games earlier in the game with a single, Hoskins provided game-deciding damage in the sixth. Down 2-1, Hoskins launched a three-run blast to left to give the Phillies the 4-2 advantage. Hoskins now has three home runs and eight RBI during his six-game hit streak.

Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff yielded just one run over five innings, allowing three hits and three walks while walking seven on 87 pitches and 53 strikes. The right-hander has now allowed just one run over 16 innings at home this season. In relief, Seranthony Dominguez, Adam Morgan, Pat Neshek and Hector Neris combined to allow three hits, just one run, and no walks, while striking out five spanning four relief innings.

Dominguez improved to 3-0, while Morgan (8) and Neshek (4) were credited with holds. Neris, meanwhile, successfully closed out his fifth save in as many opportunities, striking out two batters on 13 pitches.

According to Philly.com's Scott Lauber, Hoskins is the fastest Phillies player to reach 10 home runs in a season (31 games) since Chase Utley (30) and Raul Ibanez (31) in 2009. Nearly 55 percent Hoskins’ 62 career home runs (34) have either tied the game or given the Phillies the lead; only Khris Davis (36) has more such home runs since Hoskins' Aug. 10, 2017 debut.

Game Notes:

• Phillies shortstop Jean Segura went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, one being via a solo home run to right in the first inning, his second of the season. Segura is now slashing .345/.396/.536. This season, the Phillies are 14-7 with Segura and 4-6 without, notes Ryan Spaeder.
• The Phillies are now 17-1 this season when leading after seven innings.
• Against his former club, Bryce Harper went 1-for-3 with a walk and run scored.
• Nationals outfielder Juan Soto missed his third straight game with back spasms.
• The Nationals yielded four runs in the loss, their first game since firing pitching coach Derek Lilliquist late Thursday.
• The Phillies are now 2-2 against the Nationals this season at home, despite being outscored 30-15.
• Morgan's appearance set the club record for most consecutive scoreless appearances to start a season (16), notes NBC Sports Philadelphia's Corey Seidman.
• Hellickson struck out nine Phillies batters over 5 1/3 innings, allowing only four hits and two runs while walking none (79 pitches, 56 strikes).
• Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler said the Phillies pulled Eickhoff after just 87 pitches "to be cognizant of workload," given his recent injury history.
• Phillies starting pitchers have posted a 2.30 ERA (12 ER, 47 IP, 1 HR allowed) over their last eight starts, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

What's Next:

• Saturday, May 4, 2019: vs. Washington Nationals, 7:05 p.m.
  • Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
  • LHP Patrick Corbin (2-1, 3.58 ERA) vs. RHP Jake Arrieta (4-2, 3.46 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP