Werth, Zimmerman Lift Nats over Phils
By Scott Bline
Jul 12, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth (28) watches his two run home run in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Zimmerman drove in the game winning run, and the Nationals won in extra innings to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3.
On paper what looked to be a pitchers’ duel between Stephen Strasburg and Cole Hamels was met with resistance by the Nats’ Jayson Werth and the Phillies’ Marlon Byrd. Werth drove in the Nats’ first three runs on an RBI groundout in the first and a two-run home run in the sixth while Byrd drove in two of his own in the sixth with a single that plated Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley.
Relying heavily on a darting changeup that dove down and away from lefties and in to righties, Strasburg finished his night after 111 pitches in 5 2/3 innings. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits and two walks with nine strikeouts. Jerry Blevins relieved Strasburg, inducing Ben Revere to fly out to left.
In Strasburg’s only other start this season against the Phillies, he allowed three unearned runs in six innings. That game was also played in Philadelphia. Entering the game, Strasburg was 0-0 with a 0.55 ERA at Citizens Bank Park.
Opposite Strasburg, Hamels pitched seven innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits and three walks with five strike outs.
Drew Storen pitched a scoreless seventh, but Tyler Clippard allowed the tying run to score in the eighth with an RBI single by Revere. Ross Detwiler (1-2) earned his first win of the season by pitching a perfect ninth.
The Nats scored two in the tenth when Zimmerman singled home Denard Span, and then Werth scored on a wild pitch by Jake Diekman (3-3).
Rafael Soriano struck out the side in the tenth for his 22nd save.
Werth’s home run is his 11th on the season. After hitting two home runs combined through the months of May and June, he has now hit five in his last nine games. It was also his tenth career home run against his former team. Wilson Ramos went 0-for-4 to have his 14 game hitting streak snapped. For the second time this year, Adam LaRoche earned the infamous golden sombrero with four strikeouts in a game. For the Phillies, Cody Asche also struck out four times on the night.
The Nats are now 3-8 in extra-inning games on the season.
The Nats look for the series win tomorrow afternoon in the last game before the All Star break with Tanner Roark (7-6) starting opposite Kyle Kendrick (4-8).