Nationals Power Past Phillies for Series Win
By Pablo Roa
Jul 13, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder
Jayson Werth(28) ronde third base after hitting a three run home run in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Nationals ended the first half with a bang Sunday afternoon as they powered past the Phillies, 10-3, and secured a series win at Citizens Bank Park.
Jayson Werth got things started quickly for the Nationals as the red-hot outfielder scorched a three-run homer against Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick in the top of the first. It was yet another stellar day at the plate for Werth, who now has six home runs and 19 RBIs in the month of July.
Tanner Roark did his part, too, as the Nationals starter held the Phillies to just one run on four hits while striking out six over seven innings of work. It was a nice bounce-back effort from Roark, who had given up four runs in his two previous start. The right-hander earned his eighth win of the season and lowered his ERA to 3.01.
The Nationals’ offense struck again in the top of the sixth as RBIs from Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond and Jose Lobaton gave the Nationals a 7-0 lead. The Phillies got a run back in the bottom of the frame, but the Nationals added three more over the last two innings on a home run by Zimmerman in the eighth and an RBI double by Anthony Rendon followed by an RBI single by Werth in the ninth.
The Phillies scored two more in the bottom of the ninth before Aaron Barret shut them down and ended the 10-3 rout.
The Nationals enter the All-Star break in a tie with the Braves for first place in the NL East with a record of 51-42.