Yesterday, the Phillies had an offensive explosion with Ryan Howard and Cody Asche hitting home runs leading to a 7-2 win to tie the series against the Washington Nationals. Today, was originally suppose to Cole Hamels start, but he came down with the Flu. Roberto Hernandez got moved up to take the start. Hernandez on the season was 1-1 with a 5.74 ERA. The Nationals countered with former Phillie prospect Gio Gonzalez. Heading into today’s game, Gonzalez is 3-1 with a 3.25 ERA.
The Game: In the bottom on the first the Phillies scored the only run of the game. With one out, Jimmy Rollins tripled on a ball to left field. Chase Utley would then single him in. 1-0 Phillies
Roberto Hernandez when to work going a season best seven and a third innings giving up four hits, walking three, and three strikeouts. This lowered his ERA to 4.50.
Papelbon came in the ninth to close out the game. On the first pitch, Papelbon got Ian Desmond to fly out. Then Papelbon worked back from a 3-1 count to get Danny Espinosa to pop out. Sandy Leon then singled to right field. Papelbon then got a huge strike out of Zach Walters to get the save. 1-0 Phillies Final
Other Phillies pitchers to appear in the game were Mike Adams and Antonio Bastardo, who had a huge called strike out of Anthony Rendon in the eighth inning.
Impact: It is very important to win series against teams in your division. With winning this series the Phillies are now a game over .500 and 1.5 games out of first place in the NL East. The Phillies are very much in the race for the East to start May with the NL East leading Braves getting swept by the Marlins and the Giants in back to back series.
Up Next: Tomorrow the Phillies open home and home series against the Blue Jays. Kyle Kendrick will get the start for Phillies who is 0-2 with a 3.52 ERA on the season. He will be opposed by former Phillie J.A. Happ. Happ has appeared in three games out the bullpen and has a 4.15 ERA in 4 1/3 innings.
Andrew Shipotofsky in writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Ashipotofsky
