Things haven’t been going so well for the Phillies lately. The team was on a four-game losing streak heading into today’s matchup against the Nationals. Jeremy Hellickson, today’s starting pitcher, did provide some hope for the young Phils though. The right-hander has been terrific so far this season, allowing seven hits and just one run through his first two starts. Hellickson looked to continue to frustrate batters today in the nation’s capital, and would be supported by the following lineup:
Here's how we'll line up today in Washington behind @JHell58. #GoPhils pic.twitter.com/60aFMhoUJG
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 15, 2017
The Nats drew first blood in this one, scoring one on an RBI single in the bottom of the third inning. Hellickson did a nice job of not letting the inning get away from him and left two runners stranded on base to end the inning.
Cesar Hernandez got the rally started at the top of the fourth inning with an infield single. After another infield single by Howie kendrick, Odubel Herrera scored Hernandez on a double to left field. Maikel Franco grounded out in the next at-bat, but not before giving the Phils a 2-1 lead in the process.
The score held firm until the bottom of the seventh inning when Nats outfielder Chris Heisey hit a solo shot to tie the game at two a piece. Hernandez was the catalyst for a comeback once again- hitting a two-run bomb at the top of the eighth inning. The homer gave the Phils a 4-2 lead, which was more than enough run support for the bullpen to handle.
Relievers Hector Neris and Joaquin Benoit silenced the Nats in the final two frames, and Benoit picked up his first save as a Phillie. The win ended a four-game skid and hopefully loosens the club up a bit. Philly will take on the Nationals in the series finale tomorrow, as they look to win the second consecutive series against their division rivals.
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Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
