33 games in 31 days: Game #25: The Phils are swept in the doubleheader, as they lose the nightcap, 3-0
The Phils lose the second game of their doubleheader, as they fall to the Nats, 3-0.
The Nats took the lead in the second as, with one man out, Danny Espinosa hits a solo home run, his twentieth home run of the year, giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead. The Nats took a 2-0 lead in the sixth as, with two men on, and with two men out, Ross Detwiler helped his own cause with an RBI single, scoring Espinsoa, who had earlier singled, then stopped at second base on Wilson Ramos’ single, while Ramos, who had earlier singled, would stop at third on the late throw to the plate. The Nats then made it a 3-0 lead in the seventh as, with runners on the corners, and with one man out, Jayson Werth, who had earlier doubled, then stopped at third on Michael Morse’s single, would score as Carlos Ruiz’s pick-off throw hits him and gets away from third baseman Placido Polanco, allowing him to score, while Morse would move up to second base. That would end up being the final score as Drew Storen picked up his fortieth save of the year by pitching a 1-2-3 ninth.
Cliff Lee (16-8, 2.38) took the lost as he went seven innings, giving up three runs, only two of which were earned, on eleven hits, while he struck out nine. Justin De Fratus and David Herndon combined for two scoreless innings, giving up just a walk (Herndon), while striking out two (Herndon) between them. Ross Detwiler (3-5, 3.30) got the win as he pitched seven and one-third innings, giving up just three hits and one walk, while striking out three. Henry Rodriguez collected his ninth hold of the year as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, getting out both men that he would face, striking out one. Drew Storen received his fortieth save of the year, as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two.
The Phils had just three hits in the ballgame, all singles, with Ben Francisco leading the team with two hits, while Placido Polanco had the other one. With this game, the team has hit a low point during this present period of getting few hits and scoring fewer runs. Seriously guys, this is not the way to build momentum going into the playoffs. Quit fooling around, or else you won’t get past the first round. Start playing up to your game, and cream the Nats for the next couple of games.
The Phils (98-56, 1st) will continue their series with the Nats (74-79, 3rd) with a night game tonight. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and will start at 7:05 pm EDT. The Phils will send to the mound Vance Worley (11-2, 2.85), who is coming off a no-decision against the Cardinals on September 16, as he pitched six innings, giving up a run on six hits and three walks, while striking out five, in the Phils’ 4-2 extra-innings lost. He will be seeing if he can help end the Phils’ present four game losing streak. The Nats will counter with John Lannan (9-13, 3.68), who is coming off a lost to the Marlins on September 16, as he went six innings, giving up three runs on eight hits and three walks, while he struck out one, in the Nats’ 3-0 lost. He will be trying to give the Phils their first five game losing streak. The Phils will be out to put an end to their present slide and try to start building some momentum for the playoff.
