Phillies shut out by Scherzer, Nationals
In a game in which both starting pitchers are on the top of their game, it only takes one big hit to propel one team to victory. Tonight, both starting pitchers, Jerad Eickhoff and Max Scherzer, pitched excellent shutout baseball through the first six innings of tonight’s game. Both starters exited with the game still scoreless, so it was up to the bullpen to preserve the shutout. However, Bryce Harper struck. Harper delivered all of the offense in tonight’s game with one swing of the bat. Harper’s three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth was all of the runs either team would score in tonight’s game as the Nationals (84-58) would go on to shutout the Phillies (63-79) by a final of 3-0.
Both offenses were stymied for 8 innings of tonight’s ball game. But for one half inning, one at-bat, one pitch, one player stepped up and that was all the runs that was needed. Harper only had one hit in tonight’s game, but it was the only hit that mattered by any player all night long. Harper’s three-run home run in the eighth inning was all Washington needed as it propelled them to their 3-0 win in tonight’s ball game. Former Phillie Ben Revere had himself good night at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a double, and scoring a run on Harper’s home run. Cesar Hernandez was the only Phillies player to record multiple hits as he had himself a 2 for 4 night.
Despite his record, Eickhoff has been the most consistent pitcher the Phillies have had this season. He doesn’t have the most overpowering stuff, but you know what you’re going to get from him every single time he steps out on the mound. He may be pitching his way to being the Phillies opening day starter next season, especially if Jeremy Hellickson doesn’t return next season. He turned in another impressive outing tonight, tossing six shutout innings on just five hits and two walks. Eickhoff didn’t factor into the decision however, but he lowered his ERA to 3.73 for the year. Scherzer was equally as dominant for Nats as he pitched six and two-thirds scoreless innings. Luis Garcia suffered the loss for the Phillies, and he falls to 1-1 on the year with a 7.20 ERA. Shawn Kelley picked up his second win of the season as he pitched a scoreless top of the eighth inning for the Nats. Mark Melancon recorded his 40th save of the season with a perfect ninth inning of work.
The Phillies and Nationals will wrap up their four game series tomorrow afternoon at 1:35 p.m. Adam Morgan (2-9, 5.90 ERA) will take the mound for the Phillies against Gio Gonzalez (10-9, 4.40 ERA) in the series finale at Nationals Park. Morgan will look to continue his streak of solid outings and help the Phillies earn a series split agains the division leading Nationals.
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Categorized:Phillies