Ryan Zimmerman's RBI single in the 10th was the go-ahead run in the Nationals' 5-3 win
Cole Hamels was solid over seven innings, but the Phillies came up short in the tenth inning as their winning streak ended at five with the Washington Nationals' 5-3 victory Saturday night.
Hamels ran into a bit of trouble early, walking Denard Span to lead off the game before Anthony Rendon doubled to deep left. Jayson Werth's ground out to shortstop scored Span, giving the Nats a 1-0 lead right out of the gates. Hamels recovered to retire the next two batters to end the inning.
Stephen Strasburg was good early, working around a leadoff double by Grady Sizemore to strike out two in a scoreless first.
Marlon Byrd singled to left to lead off the second, but was caught stealing as Cody Asche struck out for a double play. Cameron Rupp and Ben Revere singled in consecutive at bats to put men on first and second, but Strasburg struck out Utley to work out of the jam.
Things got a bit quieter from then on. After issuing a walk to Sizemore to lead off the third, Strasburg sat down the next nine Phillies batters in order, and struck out the side in the fourth.
Hamels was nearly as good, allowing just two baserunners after the first inning, and working very quickly and efficiently. In the top of the sixth, Hamels walked Rendon to lead off the inning, and Werth followed up with an opposite-field shot to right, giving the Nationals a 3-0 lead.
With both pitchers dealing, this one seemed like a backbreaker at the time, but the Phillies battled back in the bottom of the inning. By this point, Strasburg had worked a pitch count nearing 100. Jimmy Rollins lead off with a single to right, and Utley followed suit with a single of his own. They were succesful on a double steal, with Utley beating the throw at second, and both scored on Byrd's single to left, cutting the Nationals' lead to 3-2.
Strasburg struck out Asche for the second out but was pulled after walking Rupp. He threw 30 pitches in the inning, and 111 total, in 5.2 innings, allowing seven hits, two walks, and two runs to go with nine strikeouts. Jerry Blevins came on in relief and got Ben Revere to fly out to left for the third out.
Domonic Brown, who sat due to an illness, singled as a pinch hitter for Hamels in the bottom of the seventh. He was lifted for pinch runner Tony Gwynn Jr., who got as far as third before Utley flied out to end the inning.
Justin DeFratus and Antonio Bastardo combined for a hitless inning of relief in the eighth. In the bottom of the inning, the Phillies looked all but defeated before Asche singled with two outs. Rupp walked again, and Asche scored on Revere's ground ball single to center to tie the game at 3-all. Cesar Hernandez came up with the go-ahead run at second, but Tyler Clippard struck him out to end the threat.
Jonathan Papelbon allowed a bunt single to Ian Desmond to start the ninth, but held the Washington offense in check as the shortstop was stranded at second. Ross Detwiler (1-2) retired the Phillies in order to send the game into the tenth.
Jake Diekman (3-3) was brought in to start the inning and promptly issued a leadoff walk to Span. Werth made it safely to first on a fielder's choice to second, with Span beating the throw to second, and, with two outs, Ryan Zimmerman lined a ball into center for a single to score Span. Diekman uncorked a wild pitch to the next batter, which went past Koyie Hill and to the backstop, allowing Werth to score.
Diekman struck out Desmond to end the inning, but the damage was done. Rafael Soriano came in to close for Washington, and struck out the side for his 22nd save of the season.
Notable Statistics:
Cole Hamels: 7 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (117 Pitches, 70 Strikes)
Ben Revere: 2-4, RBI
Cameron Rupp: 1-2, 2 BB
Jayson Werth (WAS): 1-4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB
Impact:
It was a tough loss for the Phillies that could have gone either way. Werth's homer in the sixth ended up being the difference maker in a very close game. The Phillies did a good job of making Strasburg throw a lot of pitches, chasing him before the sixth was over, but they came up short when they had a chance to get ahead late, especially in the eighth. The Phillies were just 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
Up Next:
The Phillies and Nationals play their last game before the All-Star break Sunday at 1:35pm. Tanner Roark(7-6, 3.12 ERA) takes the hill for Washington, while the Phillies counter with Kyle Kendrick (4-8, 4.46).
