Darick Hall homers yet again, as Phillies take series with 5-3 win over Nationals
Darick Hall had 2 RBI, including his fourth home run in just his 8th career game, as the Phillies beat the Nationals 5-3 and won the mid-week series.
Phillies (44-39) Beat Nationals (30-55)
- Winning Pitcher: Nick Nelson (3-1, 4.17)
- Losing Pitcher: Joan Adon (1-12, 7.10)
- Save: Seranthony Dominguez (3, 1.74)
Darick Hall is now the first Phillies player in modern history (1901), to hit four home runs in his first eight career games after driving a ball of the right field foul pole in the 7th inning. Hall also got the Phillies on the board in the 3rd inning, with an RBI double that scored Rhys Hoskins and set up JT Realmuto, who tied it up with a sac-fly during the next at bat.
Bailey Falter got the spot start, and much like Cristopher Sanchez on Tuesday managed to keep the Phils in the game. Unlike, Sanchez however, Falter got into trouble early, allowing two hits, one walk and a hit batter to load the bases in the 1st inning. Former Phillie Maikel Franco singled in the first frame to put the Nationals ahead and it looked like Falter may give up multiple runs. But he managed to settle down and got Nationals shortstop Luis Garcia to strike out on three straight pitches in the next at bat with the bases loaded.
In the 2nd inning it was much of the same for Falter, who gave up two doubles and an RBI single to Juan Soto to make it 2-0 Nationals. Falter found his composure and added two additional scoreless innings before handing the ball off to the Phillies bullpen, who have shockingly have been the best in the National League over the past two weeks.
Nick Nelson, Jose Alvarado, Brad Hand, and Seranthony Dominguez combined for four innings of relief, with Hand surrendering the only run on an RBI double, that cut the lead to 5-3 in the 8th inning. The four relievers totaled five innings of work while giving up only two hits and striking out six. The sudden emergence of this bullpen group has allowed the Phillies to mount comebacks in games that would have been out of reach in both April and May.
Didi Greogrius put the Phillies ahead for good in the 3rd inning, when he narrowly missed his first home run of the season, but instead ended up with an RBI triple, on a fly ball that should have caught by lurking monster Juan Soto. Kyle Schwarber broke his two game streak of hitting multiple home runs, but added yet another RBI when he hit a ground ball to first base allowing the 4th run of the day to score.
The Phillies have been the second best team in terms of record in the National League since the beginning of June, as it appears that this hot streak may be more an indication of their strength rather than just a lucky run.
The Phillies will fly out to St. Louis to take on the Cardinals in a three game set over the weekend that has all types of playoff tie breaker situations relying on the outcome. The Cardinals are just a half game back of the Phis and will most likely be hanging around come September.
For my money this is the biggest series since the Phillies disastrous sweep at the hands of the Braves during last seasons failed playoff run. Let’s hope this one goes a bit better!
Maikel Franco puts the Nationals on the board with an RBI single in a tough 1st inning for Phils starter Bailey Falter.
1-0 Nationals
Falter manages to get out of the 1st inning with a strikeout of Luis Garcia with the bases loaded. Definitely avoided a bullet here..
Juan Soto adds to the Nationals lead with an RBI single in the 2nd inning.
2-0 Nationals
Darick Hall smokes a ball of the 401 ft sign in center field to put the Phils on the board and cut the lead in half. JT Realmuto would tie the game up during the next at bat with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Nick Castellanos.
2-2 Phils
Didi Gregorius just misses his first home run of the year, but instead winds up with an RBI triple on a ball that Juan Soto absolutely should have caught at the outfield wall.
4-2 Phils
Darick Hall with his second RBI of the game and 4th home run in 8 career games since joining the Phils.
5-2 Phils
Ehire Adrianza with an RBI double off Brad Hand in the 8th inning to cut the lead to two runs.
5-3 Phils
Seranthony Dominguez gets Juan Soto swinging during a 1-2-3 9th inning for the new Phillies closer.
Phils Win 5-3!
Up Next for the Phillies
The Phillies will travel to St Louis to take on the Cardinals in the first game of a three game series on Friday night.
Zack Wheeler (7-4, 2.66) will toe the rubber facing off against Adam Wainwright (6-6, 3.26) in a rematch of a game we saw just last week. The first pitch scheduled for 8:15 pm.
NBC Sports Philadelphia will carry the broadcast of the game.
Mandatory Photo Credit: Philadelphia Phillies
