
In a close game between the Phillies and Nationals, things came down to the bullpen and as they have so many times this year, the Phillies bullpen came out on the losing end. Despite suffering from command issues from the start, Roy Halladay managed to be effective, leaving the game with the Phillies leading 2 to 1. The bullpen would take care of that, coughing up yet another lead as the Phillies lost 3 to 2.
Halladay was effectively wild in the start to say the least. Suffering from command issues, Halladay walked three batters in the first inning alone, as he surrendered a run to the Nationals. Halladay would continue to struggle with his command throughout the outing, but battled through and shut the Nationals down. In all, Halladay tossed six innings of one-run ball, while allowing only three hits, but he did walk five and hit two batters.
After the bullpen came on, they quickly went about surrendering the lead, as Zach Miner allowed one run to tie the game while pitching in the seventh. Jake Diekman came on for the eighth and picked up the loss as he allowed one run to give the Nationals a 3 to 2 lead. Jonathan Papelbon kept the Nationals from extending their lead in the ninth, but the Phillies offense had no answer.
Trailing 1 to 0 after the first, the Phillies responded by taking the lead in the bottom of the second. Cody Asche and John Mayberry Jr. each singled to start the inning. After Roger Bernadina struck out and Roy Halladay sacrifice bunted the runners to second and third, young Cesar Hernandez knocked a two run double for the Phillies only runs of the game.
While the offense was far from impressive on the night, the Phillies saw some positives from their young players. Cesar Hernandez went 2 for 3 with a double, 2 RBIs and a walk on the evening. Cody Asche continued his steady progression at the plate, going 2 for 4 to raise his average to .276.
The Phillies will now have Thursday off before welcoming the NL East leading Braves to Citizens Bank Park. Cliff Lee will make the start for the Phillies as he faces off against Mike Minor
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
After the bullpen came on, they quickly went about surrendering the lead, as Zach Miner allowed one run to tie the game while pitching in the seventh. Jake Diekman came on for the eighth and picked up the loss as he allowed one run to give the Nationals a 3 to 2 lead. Jonathan Papelbon kept the Nationals from extending their lead in the ninth, but the Phillies offense had no answer.
Trailing 1 to 0 after the first, the Phillies responded by taking the lead in the bottom of the second. Cody Asche and John Mayberry Jr. each singled to start the inning. After Roger Bernadina struck out and Roy Halladay sacrifice bunted the runners to second and third, young Cesar Hernandez knocked a two run double for the Phillies only runs of the game.
While the offense was far from impressive on the night, the Phillies saw some positives from their young players. Cesar Hernandez went 2 for 3 with a double, 2 RBIs and a walk on the evening. Cody Asche continued his steady progression at the plate, going 2 for 4 to raise his average to .276.
The Phillies will now have Thursday off before welcoming the NL East leading Braves to Citizens Bank Park. Cliff Lee will make the start for the Phillies as he faces off against Mike Minor
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat