Game 27: Nationals 7, Phillies 1

As The Wire’s Omar said, “You come at the king, you best not miss.”

The Nationals didn’t miss this afternoon.

Gio Gonzalez threw 7 great innings, allowing only one run, and the offense hit 3 home runs as the Nationals (18-9) came alive and beat the NL East’s 5-time defending champs for the 7th straight time, defeating the Phillies 7-1.

Gonzalez walked 1 and struck out 7 in getting the win, lowering his ERA to 1.72 and bringing his record to 3-1. Today, however, he allowed his first earned run at home, raising his home ERA from 0.00 to 0.43, still the lowest in baseball. Ryan Mattheus pitched the game’s final two innings to seal it for the Nats, allowing no runs and only one hit.

The offense had solid contributions from every position, as the team increased its season home run total by 20% with 3 long bombs from 3 different players. Jayson Werth opened up the scoring with a 3-run homer in the 5th off Vance Worley, and a Rick Ankiel double Chad Tracy was the game’s star, going 3-4 with 2 runs scored, including a 2-run home run off Philly’s Joe Savery in the 7th inning that sealed the Phillies’ fate. Ian Desmond also hit a home run: a deep solo shot to straightaway center. Bryce Harper, who went 0-4 with a walk, was one of only two Nats starters, including Gonzalez, who failed to get a hit. Gonzalez doubled in the 5th and scored on Werth’s homer, while Wilson Ramos was the other hitless Nat, going 0-4.

Champ of the Game: Gonzalez, who continued to dominate, especially at home.
For the Phillies, Shane Victorino scored their only run and played some nice defense in center field.

Chump of the Game: Ramos was the only Nat who came to the plate and did not reach base.
Vance Worley allowed 5 runs and 11 hits in an uninspiring outing, dropping his record to 2-2.

Unsung Hero: Steve Lombardozzi, who went 3-4 with a run scored and a walk, and has played well in Zimmerman’s place.
Carlos Ruiz had Philly’s only RBI.

Next Game: May 6th, 8PM, Nationals Park. Hamels (3-1, 2.78) v. Zimmermann (1-2, 1.89)

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