Phillies’ offense stays quiet in 2-1 loss to Nats
The Phillies’ offense has been anything but hot during this series against the Nationals, but tonight was the worst of all three games. The Phillies managed just one run on two hits, with their only run coming on one swing of the bat by Freddy Galvis. The Phillies failed to record more than four hits as a team in any of three games in the series, something that hasn’t happened since 1969 against the Mets. Phillies starter Adam Morgan provided six strong innings of work tonight, but he once again received little run support, and the Phillies (60-73) fell to the Nationals (78-55) by a final of 2-1.
Neither team provided any offensive fireworks in tonight’s game, but the Nationals’ offense did just enough to earn the series sweep of the Phils. Ex-Phillie Jayson Werth started things off in tonight’s game with a solo home run in the top of the first inning. Werth’s first inning homer was the 21st home run allowed in the first inning by Phillies starters, which is tied for second worst in the National League. Galvis tied the game up in the fifth inning a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the fifth inning. Galvis has been struggling this season when you look at his overall numbers, but over his last seven games, Galvis is batting .300 with an on-base percentage near .400, which is a major improvement from his early season struggles. Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos provided what would turn out to be the game-winning hit in the bottom of the seventh inning on an RBI single to right field. The Nationals only recorded six hits as a team, but Werth chipped in one third of those hits as he continues to light up Phillies pitching this season. Werth now has 20 homers on the season, and this is only the third time that he has eclipsed that mark as a member of the Nationals, in this being his seventh season with the team.
Morgan’s record would suggest that he is having a terrible second season in the big leagues, and at times he has looked lost on the mound, but he has improved since coming back up from the minors a few weeks ago. Morgan pitched a very solid game tonight, but unfortunately suffered his ninth loss of the season. Morgan allowed just two runs on three hits in six and two thirds innings pitched, but he falls to 1-9 with a 6.21 ERA after tonight’s game. Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez continued the streak of impressive outings by Washington starters against the Phillies as he turned in six solid innings tonight. Gonzalez allowed one run on just two hits and a walk in his six innings of work. Gonzalez picked up the win for the Nats tonight, and he improves to 10-9 on the year with a 4.14 ERA. Shawn Kelley picked up his seventh save of the year as he pitched the ninth inning in favor of normal closer Mark Melancon, who received the night off.
The Phillies have an off day tomorrow as they get ready to host the Atlanta Braves for a three game series this weekend. That series will begin on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park when Jeremy Hellickson (10-8, 3.80 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Phillies against Aaron Blair (0-6, 8.23 ERA) of the Braves. Hellickson will look to continue his strong second half and continue auditioning for a multi-year contract this off-season as he looks to help the Phillies get out of their recent skid.
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