Phillies Win 12th Straight over Nationals 2-1, on Rhys Hoskins RBI in 10th Inning
The Phillies won their 12th straight game over the Nationals 2-1 in extra innings on Saturday afternoon, as Rhys Hoskins drove in the winning run with an RBI single in the 10th inning.
Phillies (36-31) Beat Nationals (23-46)Â
- Winning Pitcher:Â Brad Hand (2-1, 2.21)
- Losing Pitcher: Reed Garrett (0-1, 1.80)
- Save:Â Seranthony Dominguez (1)
That’s five straight wins over the basement-dwelling Nationals to open up the season as the Phillies moved to a season high five games over .500. Thats 15 wins in their 17 games, in case you are no longer keeping track at home. Even more sweet is the fact that the Phils ruined the retirement ceremony game for long time Nationals infielder and sewer rat Ryan Zimmerman.
Aaron Nola was excellent today in continuing a June hot streak that has him 3-0 with an ERA below 3.00. More importantly the Phillies are won all four games in which he has started this month, after losing eight of nine to open the season. That’s also three of four starts in June that Nola has prevented his opponent from hitting a home run, which is possibly the most telling statistic for whether he is pitching well or not.
Nola tossed 8 impressive innings, allowing no earned runs on four hits, while striking out eight Nationals hitters against no walks. He threw 71 of his 106 pitches for strikes and kept a weak Nationals lineup completely at bay.
Recent Phillies addition from Lehigh Valley, Yairo Muñoz, hit his second home run of the series to put the Phils up 1-0 in the 7th inning.
I honestly have no idea why Rob Thomson decided to go with Brad Hand instead of Seranthony Dominguez for the save opportunity in the 9th inning. Thomson previously stated that it would be a closer-by-committee situation going forward and that the pitcher would be based mostly on favorable matchups.
Hand struggled in his second save opportunity since Corey Knebel was relieved of his duties. Hand walked Nats slugger Juan Soto, nearly gave up a monster home run to Josh Bell, and allowed an RBI single to pinch hitter Lane Thomas which tied the game up at 1-1.
Luckily the Phils were able to take the lead on a Rhys Hoskins RBI single in the top of the 10th inning that score Matt Vierling from second base. The Phils went on to load the based in the inning but were unable to score as Nick Castellanos, JT Realmuto, and Odubel Herrera each were unable to move the runner at third base.
With a 2-1 lead entering the bottom of the 10th inning, Rob Thomson redeemed himself for his lack of trust in Seranthony, as Dominguez needed only 10 pitches to shut down the Nats and pick up the save. It’s clear to everyone except the people in charge of this team that Dominguez has the best pure stuff for being a closer and has the confidence to get the job done.
The Phillies will go for the rare five game sweep of a division rival as they take on the Nationals tomorrow afternoon for a little Fathers Day baseball action.
Aaron Nola strikes out Juan Soto in the 1st inning for one of his eight strike outs on the day.
Bryson Stott makes a run saving play at second base to get former Phil Caesar Hernandez.
Aaron Nola strikes out Nelson Cruz to end the 6th inning.
Yairo Muñoz puts the Phils on top with a solo home run in the 7th inning.
1-0 Phils
Pinch hitter Lane Thomas drives in Juan Soto to time the game up with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning.
1-1 Phils
Rhys Hoskins drives in the game winning run with an RBI single in extra innings.
2-1 Phils
Seranthony Dominguez picks up his first save of the season in putting down the Nationals in the 10th.
PHILLIES WIN 2-1!!!
Up Next
The Phillies take on the Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon in the final contest of a five game series.
Zach Eflin (2-4, 3.98) will toe the rubber facing off against Jackson Tetreault (0-1, 15.75) with the first pitched scheduled for 2:05 pm.
NBC Sports Philadelphia will have the broadcast of the game.
Mandatory Photo Credit: Philadelphia Phillies
