By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Fresh off their 3-0 shutout win — salvaging the series finale against the New York Yankees — the Philadelphia Phillies (42-36) and All-Star-bound Aaron Nola will take on Tanner Roark and the Washington Nationals (41-37) for the first time at home this season in the first of a four-game set on Thursday.
Rhys Hoskins' three-run home run and Zach Eflin's seven-shutout-inning performance were all the Phillies needed to avoid the sweep against the potent Yankees on Wednesday. For Hoskins, his 30th career home run marked the fastest any Phillie ever reached the career milestone, while Eflin recorded the first 5-0 month for a Phillies starter since Cole Hamels in May 2012. Scott Kingery extended his career-long hitting streak to eight games, while Seranthony Dominguez shut the door with two perfect relief innings to secure his fifth save out of six chances.
Nola looks to become the third National League pitcher to reach double digits in wins, joining Jon Lester (10-2, 2.18 ERA) and Max Scherzer (10-4, 2.04 ERA). The right-hander did not earn his 10th win last season until August 28 in his sixth-to-last start.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Washington Nationals (41-37) | Philadelphia Phillies (42-36) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Tanner Roark | RHP | Aaron Nola | ||
| (3-8, 4.27 ERA) | (9-2, 2.58 ERA) | ||||
RHP Tanner Roark, Age: 31
- 2018 vs. PHI: 0-2, 7.59 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 10 2/3 IP, 13 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 16 SO, 1.875 WHIP
- Career vs. PHI: 6-8, 4.34 ERA, 19 G, 17 GS, 101 2/3 IP, 97 H, 51 R, 49 ER, 9 HR, 31 BB, 89 SO, 1.259 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 3-5, 5.36 ERA, 9 G, 8 GS, 45 1/3 IP, 47 H, 29 R, 27 ER, 4 HR, 14 BB, 30 SO, 1.346 WHIP
Since May 5, Roark has lost six of his last seven decisions — with two of the losses coming against the Phillies. The right-hander has failed to reach the five-inning mark in each of his last two starts, including his most recent outing on Friday, home against the Phillies. Roark allowed six runs on seven hits, four walks and a home run to Odubel Herrera, his 13th. Hoskins also doubled off the six-year veteran.
RHP Aaron Nola, Age: 25
- 2018 vs. WSN: 1-0, 3.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 5 SO, 1.167 WHIP
- Career vs. WSN: 2-4, 4.35 ERA, 11 G, 11 GS, 60 IP, 65 H, 30 R, 29 ER, 7 HR, 16 BB, 70 SO, 1.350 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 20-12, 3.18 ERA, 36 G, 36 GS, 229 IP, 193 H, 87 R, 81 ER, 29 HR, 56 BB, 263 SO, 1.087 WHIP
Nola is undefeated in seven home starts this season, going 6-0 with a 1.86 ERA, 55-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 0.910 WHIP spanning 48 1/3 innings. The right-hander has made just two home starts since the middle of May, however.
In his most recent outing on Saturday, also against the Nationals, Nola surrendered a pair of runs on four hits and three walks, while striking out five batters on just 83 pitches. With the game tied at two and a runner on third with one out in the seventh, Phillies manager Gabe Kapler's decision to pinch-hit for Nola paid off, as Jesmuel Valentin hit the game-winning RBI sacrifice fly to right field.
Starting Lineups:
| Washington Nationals (41-37) | Philadelphia Phillies (42-36) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | RF | Bryce Harper | L | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | 3B | Anthony Rendon | R | 2 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 3 | LF | Juan Soto | L | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | 1B | Daniel Murphy | L | 4 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S |
| 5 | SS | Trea Turner | R | 5 | RF | Nick Williams | L |
| 6 | CF | Michael A. Taylor | R | 6 | SS | Scott Kingery | R |
| 7 | C | Pedro Severino | R | 7 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 8 | P | Tanner Roark | R | 8 | C | Jorge Alfaro | R |
| 9 | 2B | Wilmer Difo | S | 9 | P | Aaron Nola | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies will look to separate themselves from the Nationals in both the division and Wild Card race. With their .538 winning percentage through 78 games, the Phillies are on pace to finish the season with an 87-75 record.
- Among qualified National League starters, Nola has the fourth-best home ERA this season, 1.86, trailing only Lester (1.25), Miles Mikolas (1.68) and Ross Stripling (1.81).
- In addition to Kingery's eight-game hit streak, Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco has a hit in five straight games. Over this stretch, Franco is slashing .471/.500/.824 with eight hits, three runs scored, one home run, one walk, two RBI, and three strikeouts.
- The Phillies and Nationals have split their six meetings this season, with Kapler's squad ahead in both the run (33-26) and hit (57-49) columns. The Phillies have not won a season series against the Nationals since 2014 (10-9).
- Herrera is 15-34 all-time against Roark with five doubles, one home run, three walks and six RBI (.441/.513/.676). Hoskins and catcher Jorge Alfaro have also previously homered against the right-hander. Opposite Nola, outfielder Bryce Harper is 8-19 with a pair of home runs and walks, and five RBI (.421/.455/.737).
In the News:
- Hoskins becomes fastest Phillie ever to reach 30 home runs [Link]
- Phillies' Eflin caps off career-best month with 5th straight win [Link]
- Phillies 2008 World Series champion OF Jayson Werth retires [Link]
- Kapler: Phillies GM Klentak Is 'Excellent Evaluator, Dealmaker' [Link]
- Kapler: ‘No Doubt’ Arrieta Will Take Phillies Into Postseason [Link]
What's Next:
Friday, June 29, 2018: vs. Washington Nationals, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Erick Fedde (0-3, 5.32 ERA) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (4-6, 4.06 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
