By: Matthew Mack
The road trip continued for the Phillies as they made their way to Washington to face the Nationals for a four-game series.
The Phillies lost both CF Andrew McCutchen (knee) and Pitcher Vince Velasquez (right middle finger blister) both landed on the 10-day Injured List. Also on the IL is reliever Connor Brogdon with right elbow tendonitis.
On Monday night, Ranger Suarez started for Philly and had an impressive outing. He only pitched three innings and kept the Nationals offense in check. The bullpen handled the rest. Odúbel Herrera hit a solo home run in the fifth.. Andrew Stevenson answered back in the sixth with a solo home run of his own to tie the game. The back and forth would ensue as the Phils score on a wild pitch in the seventh. On the other side of the inning, long time National Ryan Zimmerman came off the bench and put his team on his back with a base hit to the left side, scoring two. The Phillies took it personally. In the ninth, they scored five runs to reclaim the lead and they did not look back. Philadelphia won this game seven-to-five
On Tuesday night, the Phillies held their own home run derby. Jean Segura did not waste time he slammed a lead off solo home run to left to start the game. Realmuto, Ronald Torreyes, and Bryce Harper also homered in the game. Despite the home runs both Zach Wheeler and Nats starter Patrick Corbin were dealing. Corbin gave up three homers but struck out eight in seven innings to Wheeler’s seven and one-third innings with five strikeouts and he allowed one home run. The Nats showed some signs of life scoring four runs. Philadelphia’s bullpen shut it down late in the game with Hector Neris and Jose Alvarado getting the save to seal the win, five-four.
In game three of the series, Chase Anderson started on the mound for Philadelphia for the first time since landing on the IL earlier in the season. He did give-up three homers in the first two innings. However, Philadelphia scored four runs in the third. Even though Washington went on a late run. The Philles bullpen closed the door. They won nine-to-five.
In the final game of the series, Aaron Nola was called to the mound to finish off the Nationals. The Philles got a Torreyes RBI single in the second and Harper’s 250th home run of his career in the third. Washington came back when they scored five unanswered runs which included a Josh Bell three-run homer. The Phils exploded and scored four runs thanks to back to back doubles by Realmuto and Hoskins. The Phillies won a tight one seven-to-six.
The next series against the New York Mets is going to be a big one. First place in the NL East is on the line. The Phils are riding a five-game win streak. The New York Mets are a struggling team, but they still have a loaded team. Philadelphia needs to continue to have consistency in all phases of the game if they want to take sole-possession of first place by the end of the weekend.
