Final Score: Phillies 5, Nationals 3
Despite the Nationals’ solid stretch of wins against playoff teams in recent days, the Phillies continued to have their way against them.
Their tendency to torment the once great starter Patrick Corbin continued Friday. Philadelphia’s streak of at least four runs scored against the lefty reached six as the Phillies took game one of a three-game set against the Washington Nationals. The offense hit three home runs in a game for the first time since August 21.
It wasn’t as comfortable as some of the other wins against the Nationals have been. Brad Hand was called upon to get the save in the ninth. He allowed two straight hits with two outs. With the top of the order coming up, Rob Thomson made a bit of an aggressive move and went to Nick Nelson for the final out. He induced a grounder to Lane Adams and that was it. Nelson was able to record his first major league save.
Without Seranthony Dominguez, the late innings have been an adventure. The Phillies avoided a second-consecutive blown save in the ninth and they’ll have to navigate life without their top reliever just one more time for now. He’ll be activated on Sunday, per Thomson postgame.
Dalton Guthrie recorded his first major-league hit in the third with an RBI single to right field, scoring Edmundo Sosa from third. Sosa’s hot streak continued as he went 2-for-3 with a triple. Guthrie recorded a second RBI on a swinging bunt in the seventh.
It was just another example of a Phillies newbie stepping up when they got the call. Thomson credited both the player development staff and the clubhouse culture that allows new players to arrive and feel confident.
“Again, hats off to player development, but also to the guys in the clubhouse to make these young guys feel comfortable and come in here and let them do their work and let them interact with them so they can go out in the field and just put their game on autopilot and just let it go,” Thomson said.
Rhys Hoskins doubled the lead with his fourth career home run against Corbin. Two batters later, J.T. Realmuto singled home Alec Bohm from second to expand the lead to 3-0.
The Nats responded the next half inning by getting two back on a double, triple and single. The damage could have been worse, but Jean Segura caught a 103.9 mph liner up the middle and converted a 4-3 double play despite the runner Luis García taking off from first.
Realmuto recorded his third hit of the night, a solo shot to expand the lead to two in the sixth.
Rob Thomson tried to stretch Syndergaard past six, but that turned out to be an ill-advised move as Alex Call homered to left to make it 4-3. Andrew Bellatti pitched a 1-2-3 inning in relief. José Alvarado also threw a scoreless inning in the eighth.
Overall, Syndergaard gave the Phillies what they needed. It was only the second time over the last week that a Phillies starter pitched at least six innings. Friday night’s outing was Syndergaard’s fourth quality start since he was traded to the Phillies. He now has a 4.09 ERA in 2022.
With the win, the Phillies move to 76-62 and 11-2 overall with six-straight wins against the last-place Nationals in 2022. With the Reds currently leading the Brewers, the Phillies have a chance to add onto their lead in the wild card standings over Milwaukee.
Shibe Vintage Sports Notes
- Zach Eflin allowed only one hit on a solo home run through two innings in his rehab start with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
- Per the Phillies, Hoskins is the fifth player ever to hit 75 career home runs at Citizens Bank Park. Ryan Howard (198), Chase Utley (129), Jimmy Rollins (94) and Pat Burrell (76) are the others.
- This play to rob Alec Bohm of a hit from CJ Adams was incredible.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Saturday, Sept. 10 vs. Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park
- 6:05 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Radio: Sportsradio 94 WIP
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