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Washington Nationals Shut Out By Phillies For 2nd Straight Day

By Matt Weyrich

Apr 28, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Tanner Roark (57) throws to the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Tanner Roark (57) throws to the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Nationals fell to the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 Thursday afternoon despite seven shutout innings from Tanner Roark. 

After getting just two hits yesterday, the Washington Nationals offense was shut out by the Phillies for the second straight day. Today was not a good day to be a hitter in the nation’s capital, as both starters came out firing on all cylinders. Roark dominated the entire afternoon for the home team, allowing no runs on two hits and two walks with six strikeouts across seven innings. The Nats’ right-hander did not allow a hit until the fourth inning.

While Roark was doing his thing on the mound, his Phillies counterpart Aaron Nola was matching him stride for stride. The 22-year old threw seven shutout innings as well, giving up only two hits and a walk to go with seven strikeouts. Neither pitcher even allowed a baserunner to get to third until the bottom of the sixth.

The Nats displayed a few flashes of defensive brilliance throughout the evening. Pedro Severino threw out Odubel Herrera trying to steal second in the first inning. Herrera was originally called safe, but Baker challenged the call. The replay showed Espinosa’s foot blocking his hand from reaching the base, allowing him to tag the runner before he could reach the bag.  Later in the game, Stephen Drew knocked down a sharp line drive at third and dove to tag Cesar Hernandez attempting to run past him.

Washington made things interesting in the bottom of the eighth. A walk by Severino, infield single off the bat of Matt den Dekker, and two out walk by Anthony Rendon (pinch-hitting for Espinosa) with a full count brought up Bryce Harper with the bases loaded and two outs. The reigning MVP was not able to come through this time, however, striking out for the second time in the game.

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The Nats sent Felipe Rivero to the mound for the top of the ninth, but the young left-hander struggled to get outs. Herrera led off the inning with a single to center field, and Freddy Galvis followed him with a double off the wall right over Jayson Werth’s head. The Nats opted to intentionally walk Maikel Franco to load the bases, and Jonathan Papelbon was brought in to get them out of the jam. Two batters later, however, Cameron Rupp doubled to right field to drive in two runs. They would not stop there, bringing one more in to score off a David Lough RBI single to make it 3-0.

Next: This Day In Nats History: Harper Makes MLB Debut

Ryan Zimmerman hit a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth off Phillies closer Jeanmar Gomez, but that would be it for Washington. Gomez set down the next three hitters in order, and Philadelphia completed the three game sweep.

Next Up: The Washington Nationals (14-7) open up a ten-game road trip Friday night against the St. Louis Cardinals (12-9) at Busch Stadium. Stephen Strasburg (3-0, 2.17) will take the hill against Mike Leake (0-2, 5.64) with the first pitch scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET. You can watch the game on MASN2.

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