Yesterday may just have been one of the darkest, most disappointing twenty-four hour period of time in the history of the team. And while the warning signs may have been there, the fan base was still extremely upset with the result of the 2014 Major League Baseball trade deadline. Not a single move was made to send away players like Cole Hamels, A.J. Burnett, Marlon Byrd, Antonio Bastardo, or any other name that seemed to swirl the rumor mill. So, the team went on to play their scheduled game in DC against the Washington Nationals. Cliff Lee received the start, and after thirty pitches of work, he seemed to be rebounding from his disabled list stint. However, pitch number 31 caused the veteran to hop off the mound, point to his elbow, and tell his managers he could not throw another pitch. Later, the team announced Lee had suffered from the same elbow injury that put him out back in the beginning of the summer. Philadelphia would actually be victorious over the Nationals, but the day still seemed endless for Phillies fans.
With a new month upon us, the club looks to close out the final portion of the season with some positivity. It will have to begin with tonight's contest, where Roberto Hernandez gets his opportunity to take on Washington. In start number twenty this year, Hernandez will be making just his second appearance against the National League East foe. On May 4th, Roberto made a start of 7.1 innings in Citizens Bank Park against the Nationals, earning the victory when he didn't allow a single run to score. It was Hernandez's longest scoreless appearance of the season.
Back in the beginning of December, the Washington Nationals made a trade with the Detroit Tigers that, to this day, people still believe Washington came away with having been the big winners. They gave away three fringe players for starting pitcher Doug Fister. After starting the season on the disabled list, Fister came back with a, thus far, successful campaign. Through fourteen games started, Fister holds an ERA of well under 3.00, and has just two appearances with four or more runs allowed. A June 5th start against the Phillies saw Fister allow just two earned runs in a team victory.
Game Notes
- Following the injury to starter Cliff Lee, the Phillies have called up relief pitcher Cesar Jimenez. The left hander has a FIP of just 2.44 with Lehigh Valley this season, and did not give up a run in two innings of work earlier this season with the major league roster.
- Despite going 0-for-4 in last night's game, Jayson Werth continues to hit well against his former team. Just this season, the right fielder has collected two home runs, ten RBIs, and two multi-hit games against the Phillies.
- After being acquired yesterday by the team, former All-Star Asdrubal Cabrera will be making his first start for the Nationals at second base. In 97 games with the Cleveland Indians this season, Cabera had an OBP of .305 with seven stolen bases nine home runs.
Phillies Lineup
- Ben Revere CF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Marlon Byrd RF
- Grady Sizemore LF
- Carlos Ruiz C
- Cody Asche 3B
- Roberto Hernandez P
Nationals Lineup
- Denard Span CF
- Anthony Rendon 3B
- Jayson Werth RF
- Adam LaRoche 1B
- Ian Desmond SS
- Bryce Harper LF
- Asdrubal Cabrera 2B
- Wilson Ramos C
- Doug Fister P
Location: Nationals Park, Washington DC
Weather: 77° F – Drizzle – 15% PoP
Game Time: 7:05 PM Eastern
Andrew Gillen, Managing Editor of Philliedelphia.com
