Final: Phillies 5, Nationals 3
WP: Aaron Harang (2-1, 1.96 ERA) LP: Jordan Zimmermann (1-2, 6.14 ERA)
SV: Jonathan Papelbon (3)
Washington, D.C. - On a sunny, 77-degree day down at the nation's capital, a combination of timely hitting and excellent relief appearances out of the bullpen allowed the Phillies' to finally overcome their six-game losing streak.
The Nationals got out to an early, 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. After center fielder Michael Taylor and shortstop Ian Desmond singled back-to-back, right fielder Bryce Harper advanced both runners into scoring position by grounding into a force out to first base. Nats' first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, the next batter, also grounded into a force out to Ryan Howard manning the "3" position, but this time scored Taylor from third base for the first run of the game for either side.
In the top of the third, with two runners in scoring position, Phillies' shortstop Freddy Galvis hit a RBI-single to center field to tie the game at one. Second baseman Chase Utley followed by grounding into a force out to second, which allowed Odubel Herrera to score and give the Phils a 2-1 advantage.
Washington evened the score at two in the bottom of the fourth, as switch-hitting catcher Jose Lobaton hit a RBI-single to center field. It didn't take long for the Phillies' to retake the lead, however. In the top of the fifth, Galvis picked up his second RBI-single of the game, his fifth run-batted-in overall for the season.
Washington didn't take long to retailiate. On a 3-1 count in the bottom of the fifth, Harper belted his third home run of the series, which nearly cleared the center field batter's eye at Nationals Park.
The game would remain scoreless until the top of the seventh inning, when the Phillies took a 4-3 lead. Howard led off the inning with a walk on four pitches, and was replaced by Ben Revere as a pinch runner. With catcher Cameron Rupp at the plate, Revere stole his third base of the season, and eventually advanced to third on a line drive out to right field. That would spell the end for Zimmerman's third outing of the season.
While Zimmermann was originally charged for three runs (one earned), a fourth was added when left handed reliever Matt Thornton replaced him on the mound. Ben Revere was able to score from third base, when pinch-hitter Grady Sizemore reached on a fielder's choice. This occured when Zimmerman, on first, attempted to throw Revere out at home but failed to succeed.
Luis Garcia came into the game in relief for Harang in the seventh inning, who allowed three earned runs in six innings of work this afternoon. A diving stop by Utley with two outs and two men on extended Garcia's impressive scoreless appearance streak to 12 games, which dates back to September 11 of last season.
The Phillies added an insurance run in the top of the ninth against Nationals' right hander Blake Treinen. Herrera singled for his third hit of the afternoon to score Revere on third, increasing the team's lead to 5-3.
Ken Giles threw a scoreless eighth inning, and Jonathan Papelbon threw a 1-2-3 bottom the of the ninth inning for his third save of the season, and 109th overall in his career as a Phillie. He is just three saves shy of tying Jose Mesa for the all-time franchise record in saves.
In 39 at-bats this season, Herrera has 12 hits to yield a (.308 batting average). Likewise, in 41 at-bats, Galvis has 13 hits for a (.317) batting average.
Starting Pitchers
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Harang | 6.0 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1.96 |
| Jordan Zimmermann | 6.1 | 4 |
4 |
2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 6.14 |
- Harang: L; 91 pitches, 60 strikes; 6 groundouts, 2 flyouts; 26 faced batters
- Zimmermann: W; 101 pitches, 61 strikes; 6 groundouts, 4 flyouts; 26 faced batters
Out of the 'Pen
Phillies
-
Luis Garcia (7th): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- Ken Giles (8th): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- Jonathan Papelbon (9th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
Nationals
-
Matt Thornton (7th): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- Aaron Barrett (8th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- Blake Treinen (9th): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 4.76 ERA
NL East Standings
| W | L | GB | L10 | Streak | Home | Road | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Mets | 8 | 3 | - | 7-3 | W6 | 5-0 | 3-3 |
| Atlanta Braves | 7 | 4 | 1 | 6-4 | L1 | 3-3 | 4-1 |
| Washington Nationals | 5 | 7 | 3.5 | 4-6 | L1 | 3-3 | 2-4 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 4 | 8 | 4.5 | 3-7 | W1 | 3-3 | 1-5 |
| Miami Marlins | 3 | 8 | 5 | 3-7 | L2 | 1-5 | 2-3 |
What's Next
Sunday, April 19, 2015: at Washington Nationals, 1:35 pm
- RHP David Buchanan (0-2, 11.42 ERA) vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (0-1, 6.75 ERA)
- TV: CSN, MLBN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, SBP 1480 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
