Phillies Drop Series Finale to Nationals 9-3
The Phillies dropped the fifth and final game of the series with the Nationals 9-3 on Father’s Day, ending their five game win streak.
Nationals (24-46) Beat Phillies (36-32)
- Winning Pitcher: Jackson Tetreault (1-1, 5.73)
- Losing Pitcher: Zach Eflin (2-5, 4.43)
- Save: n/a
The Phils just couldn’t find the offensive magic today, that they so often have been able to tap during their torrid win streak in June. It’s probably because this game started at 12:08 p.m. and was being televised on something called Peacock.
Do we really need baseball on Sunday Father’s Day at noon? I think we pretty much have mastered the 1:05 start after the last 125 years of baseball. Once my initial shock of not knowing that a Phillies game was being played subsided, I had to desperately find out if I have Peacock in my television package. And even though I pay NBC Sports Philadelphia an obscene amount of money per season to watch baseball, they decided that adding an extra layer of paywall was a good move for Phils fans on Father’s Day.
It’s all very confusing and yet another reason Major League Baseball is the most out of touch major sports league going..
As for the baseball, Juan Soto only had one hit in Sunday’s series finale, but it was a big one, as he took Zach Eflin deep for a three-run shot in the 2nd inning to put the Nationals up four runs. Starting pitcher Zach Eflin allowed four runs in the 2nd inning and was removed after allowing five hits up that point.
The Phillies have now dropped consecutive games in which Eflin has started and he fell to 2-5 on the season and saw his ERA balloon above 4.00 for the first time. That ERA is above 7 for starts he makes on the road, and because of a bruised knee Eflin was limited to only 50 pitches and may be going forward.
The Phils were only able to muster six hits on the afternoon and failed to take advantage of Nationals starting pitcher Jackson Tertreault, who entered the game with an ERA above 15. The only runs they were able to muster, was a direct result of fielding errors in the 4th and 5th innings.
With the win, the Nationals ended their 8-game losing streak and snapped the Phillies 7-game road win streak. With the loss the Phillies narrowly missed their first 5-game series sweep since they dominated the Marlins in 2001.
The Phils have an off-day before traveling to Texas for a two game series against the Rangers beginning on Tuesday.
Maikel Franco put the Nationals on the board in a big four run 2nd inning.
1-0 Nationals
Juan Soto blasts a three run shot 428 feet to right field off Zach Eflin in the 2nd inning. Wow…
4-0 Nationals
Lane Thomas picks up an error in centerfield attempting to corral a hard line drive by Odubel Herrera. The Phils would score during the next at bat when Alec Bohm hit and RBI single to score JT Realmuto.
4-1 Nationals
Bryon Stott cuts into the Nats lead with a two out RBI single in the 4th inning.
4-2 Nationals
Former Phillie, Caesar Hernandez adds to the Nats lead with a 2 RBI double to deep right field.
6-2 Nationals
Keibert Ruiz with an error on an attempted pop throw to first base for the second time this series allowing Kyle Schwarber to score from second base.
6-3 Nationals
Former Phillies great, Maikel Franco hits a two run shot off Corey Knebel in the 5th inning.
8-3 Nationals
Up Next
The Phillies have a scheduled off day on Monday, before traveling to Arlington to take on the Texas Rangers in a quick two games series at Globe Life Field.
Kyle Gibson (4-4, 4.04) will toe the rubber facing off against Martin Pérez (4-2, 2.10) with the first pitched scheduled for 8:05 pm.
NBC Sports Philadelphia will have the broadcast of the game.
Mandatory Photo Credit: The Herald Bulletin
