Opening Series Recap: Phillies Take Two in Washington
The Phillies opened their season with a three-game series in Washington against the Nationals.
They played on Thursday for Opening Day, followed by a day off on Friday and games on Saturday and Sunday to wrap up the series.
Opening Day
The Phillies came out on Opening Day with a tale of two games. MacKenzie Gore got the start for the Nationals, while Zach Wheeler started for the Phillies.
The first four innings of baseball were scoreless from both sides as Gore and Wheeler were both dealing. Gore would finish the game with 13 strikeouts, a career high for the young lefty. Zach Wheeler pitched great as well, despite giving up a home run to Kiebert Ruiz in the bottom of the 5th. It was the first run of the game, giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead. Wheeler finished his outing giving up just 1 run, on 2 hits and struck out 8.
The Phillies offense found themselves down one in the top of the 7th with Bryce Harper stepping up to the plate. Harper would send a ball over the centerfield wall, tying the game up at 1-1. Harper’s first homer of the season is opening day in Washington, where his career started. Schwarber would follow up a batter later and hit one to right-center field, giving the Phillies a 2-1 lead.
The Phillies would score one run in the top half of the 8th, but the Nats responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. We head to the 9th all tied 3-3.
The game would head to extras, and the Phillies decided to turn it on. They scored four runs in the top of the 10th thanks to an Alec Bohm 2-run double and a JT Realmuto 2-run triple that gave the Phillies a 7-3 lead. Matt Strahm came in and shut the door as the Phillies would take the W on Opening Day and start the season off on the right track. 7-3 was the final score on opening day.
Game 2
PHOTO: Reggie Hildred/Imagn Images
Game two featured the debut of newly acquired left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who the Phillies acquired in a trade with the Marlins this offseason. Trea Turner was also scratched from the lineup right before game time with back spasms, so that’s something to monitor in the coming days. Luzardo would pitch 5 innings, giving up two runs but striking out 11. Luzardo showed flashes of his potential in this game. The 11 strikeouts show he has the stuff to be a very solid fourth or fifth pitcher in the rotation.
As for the offense, they erupted for 11 runs. After going down 2-0 early following another Kiebert Ruiz homer, the Phillies scored 7 unanswered. Home runs from Bryson Stott and Kyle Schwarber, along with some walks and a wild pitch, helped the Phillies gain a 7-2 lead. Brandon Marsh would add on in the top of the 7th with a homer of his own, extending the lead to 10-3.
The Nationals scored some runs late, but the Phillies went on to win 11-6, improving to 2-0 on the season. The offense had 14 hits and home runs and scored 11 runs. This is the kind of offensive display this offense can put up when everyone clicks.
Going for the Sweep
On Sunday, the Phillies tried to go for the sweep in their opening series of the season. Aaron Nola got the start for the Phillies, while the Nationals started Mitchell Parker.
Nola pitched well up until the 4th, when infamous Phillies killer Josh Bell homered, giving the Nats a 3-0 lead. Brandon Lowe would homer in the 6th, extending the lead to 5-0. While the Phillies finished the game with 8 hits, none came when needed, and the offense could only muster one run throughout the game. That run came in the top of the 9th on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Rafael Marchan, who was starting for an injured JT Realmuto. Realmuto fouled a ball off his foot in the previous game, so Rob Thompson wanted to give him the day off and make sure his foot would be alright for the home opener Monday.
A lackluster performance from the offense. The Phillie, unfortunately, will not be going 162-0. They suffer their first loss of the season, 6-1 in the final game of the series against the Nationals.
Upcoming Series
The Phillies have their home opener Monday against the Rockies, with the first pitch scheduled for 3:05 p.m.
They will play a three-game series against the Rockies, followed by a weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at home.
The offense will look to get back on track against a lowly Rockies team before facing the powerhouse Dodgers this upcoming weekend.
PHOTO: Reggie Hildred/Imagn Images
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