Turner’s walk-off sinks Phillies
After falling behind by three runs after seven innings of play, the Phillies found themselves in a bit of a hole with only six outs left to try and climb back in the game. Cameron Rupp stepped up to the plate with runners on second and third, and representing the tying run, with one out in the top of the eighth and quickly tied the game back up with one monstrous swing. His huge, game-tying home run would be wasted, however, as Nationals star rookie Trea Turner helped the Nationals walk-off with a win in style tonight thanks to his second home run of the night. Turner’s solo home run gives the Nationals (83-58) the 5-4 walk-off win over the Phillies (63-78) and a split in the first two games of this series.
Despite falling behind by three runs after seven innings, the Phillies jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to a two-out, RBI single by Freddy Galvis in the fourth inning. The Nationals would get that run back in the bottom half of the inning, and they would go on to take the lead on an RBI single by Bryce Harper in the sixth. Turner hit his first homer of the night, this one a two-run shot to left, in the bottom of the seventh that put Washington up 4-1. Rupp came up in the top of the eighth and delivered his huge, three-run home run to deep left center field, his 15h homer of the season. As I mentioned, Rupp’s effort was wasted in the bottom of the ninth when Turner delivered his second homer of the game, this one in walk-off fashion.
Phillies rookie starter Jake Thompson did not go as deep into tonight’s game as he did in his previous two starts, but he was very effective while he was out there. Thompson allowed just two runs on five hits and a walk in five and two-thirds innings of work. Thompson did not factor into tonight’s decision, so he remains with just one career big league win. Nationals starter Tanner Roark also did not factor into tonight’s decision, despite throwing six solid innings and allowing just one run to score. Frank Herrmann suffered the loss tonight for the Phillies as he allowed the game-winning home run in the ninth inning. Herrmann falls to 0-2 on the year with a 9.35 ERA. Nationals closer Mark Melancon picked up the win tonight, his second of the season, after he pitched a scoreless top of the ninth inning.
The Phillies and Nationals, who have split the first two games, will play third of four games tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. at Nationals Park. Jerad Eickhoff (10-13, 3.86 ERA) will take the mound for the Phillies against Mad Max, Max Scherzer (16-7, 2.88 ERA) of the Nationals. Eickhoff will conclude a three game stretch for the Phillies in which the starting pitcher for the team was acquired in the Cole Hamels trade. Eickhoff, follows Thompson, who started tonight’s game, and Alec Asher, who started and won last night’s game.
Photo: Brule Laker (Flickr.com)
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