The bullpen once again comes up short as the Phils lose to the Nats, 4-2.
The Phils’ bullpen comes up short as the Phils lose to the Nats, 4-2.
The Phils took the lead in the fourth as Darin Ruf hits a lead-off home run, his second home run of the season, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead. The Nats tied it up at one-all in their half of the fourth as, with a man on third, and with two men out, Roger Bernadina hits an RBI single, knocking in Adam LaRoche, who had started the inning off with a double, then moved up to third base on Chad Tracy’s ground out, 3-1. The Nats took the lead in the sixth as LaRoche hits a lead-off home run, his thirty-third home run of the season, giving the Nats a 2-1 lead. The Nats tried to add to their lead five batters later as, with the bases loaded, via a walk to Tracy, a single by Mark DeRosa, moving Tracy up to second base, and Sandy Leon being hit by a pitch, moving up a base both runners, and with one man out, Eury Perez hits into a force out, 6-2, as shortstop Michael Martinez threw home, forcing out at home Tracy, as catcher Erik Kratz touches home plate for the inning’s second out, as Perez safely reaches first base, while both DeRosa and Leon move up a base, leaving the bases loaded. The Nats then took a 3-1 lead as Steve Lombardozzi hits an RBI single, scoing DeRosa, while both Leon and Perez moved up to third and second base respectively, as the bases remained loaded. The Phils would get a run back in the eighth as Ruf hits a lead-off home run, his third home run of the year, and his second home run of the game, making it a 3-2 Nats’ lead. The Nats tried to get the run back in their half of the eighth as, with the bases once again loaded, this time via a lead-off double by DeRosa, Bernadina being hit by a pitch, and a walk to Leon, moving both runners up a base, and with nobody out, Perez hits into a force out, 6-2, as Martinez threw home to Kratz, who touches the plate, forcing out DeRosa for the inning’s first out, while Perez would be safe at first, as Bernadina and Leon both moved up a base, as the bases stayed loaded. The Nats then took a 4-2 lead as Lombardozzi hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Bernadina. That would end up being the final score as Drew Storen collected his fourth save of the season as he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.
B.J. Rosenberg received a no-decision as he pitched four innings, giving up a run on three hits and two walks, while striking out three. Jake Diekman pitched a scoreless inning, as he gave up two hits, while striking two batters. Josh Lindblom (3-5, 3.55) took the lost as he went an inning, giving up two runs on three hits, a walk and a hit batter. Jeremy Horst pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two batters. Antonio Bastardo pitched an inning, as he gave up a run on a hit, a walk, and a hit batter. Tom Gorzelanny also received a no-decision as he pitched three and two-thirds innings, giving up a run on four hits and two walks, while striking out five. Christian Garcia pitched one and one-third scoreless innings. Zach Duke (1-0, 1.32) got the win as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up two hits and a walk, while striking out a batter. Ryan Mattheus collected his eighteenth hold of the year as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit, while striking out two. Tyler Clippard collected his thirteenth hold of the season as he pitched an inning, giving up a run on two hits. Drew Storen received his fourth save of the year as he threw a 1-2-3 inning.
The Phils had nine hits in the game, with Kevin Frandsen (Doubles), Darin Ruf (Home Runs, 2 RBIs) and Michael Martinez (Singles), all leading the ballclub with two hits each. Ty Wigginton, Dom Brown and Erik Kratz had the other three Phils’ hits, all singles. The Phils also had three walks in the game.
The Phils (81-80, 3rd) play their final game of the season today, facing the Nats (97-64, 1st).
Phillies Red Pinstripes 