Jonathan Papelbon Blows Save, Washington Nationals Win Streak Snapped At Seven

By Ricky Keeler |

Apr 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) tags out Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) at second base during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

On a day where Bryce Harper made more history, it was Jonathan Papelbon who blew his first save of the year as the Nats seven game win streak is over.

This afternoon, at Citizens Bank Park, the Washington Nationals were looking for the sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies (6-7) and to extend their win streak to eight games. After a well-pitched game by Gio Gonzalez, Bryce Harper appeared to have won the game with a home run in the top of the tenth. But, Jonathan Papelbon ended up blowing his first save and ultimately, the game, as the Phillies came from behind to win it 3-2.

In a game where runs were hard to come by, the Phillies got on the board first. In the bottom of the second, Carlos Ruiz hit a one out solo home run to left on a 3-0 fastball to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead. It was Ruiz’s second home run of the year.

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However, that would be the only run Gonzalez would give up today. The Nats’ left-hander went seven innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out eight, and walked two on 100 pitches (60 strikes).

The Nats would end up tying the game at one in the top of the sixth. Stephen Drew led off the inning with a walk against Charlie Morton. Later in the inning, with Drew at third thanks to a Jose Lobaton groundout and a balk by Morton, Anthony Rendon singled to right to drive Drew in for the Nats’ first run.

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Other than that run, the Nats did not have much success against Morton, which was a surprise considering they scored nine runs against him last year when he was with the Pirates. The Phillies’ right-hander went six innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out six, and walked two on 80 pitches (52 strikes).

After Gonzalez’s outing, the bullpen did a good job keeping the game tied. Felipe Rivero and Blake Treinen did not give up a hit in the eighth and ninth inning respectively to help the Nats send the game to extra innings.

In the tenth, closer Jeanmar Gomez, who got out of a ninth inning jam when the Nats stranded Jayson Werth at second after a leadoff double, got the first two outs in the tenth. Then, on a 3-2 pitch, Bryce Harper hit a solo home run to right center to give the Nats a 2-1 lead. It was Harper’s sixth home run of the season and his fourth in as many games. Plus, he made some history with that home run:

Harper ties Ernie Banks from 1955 who hit six home runs in six consecutive games in Philadelphia.
— Byron Kerr (@ByronKerr) April 17, 2016

With the Nationals in front, Jonathan Papelbon came into the game to face his former team. Even though Peter Bourjos hit a one out double into the left field corner, the Nats’ closer got Cedric Hunter to fly out to center for the second out.

Next: Reaction: Big First Inning Helps Nats Win 7th Straight

However, Andres Blanco singled to left to drive in Bourjos to tie the game at two and he advanced to second on the throw to the plate by Werth. The Phillies would end up winning the game on a Freddy Galvis single off the wall in left to snap the Nats’ seven game win streak.

Next Game: The Washington Nationals (9-2) will be in Florida tomorrow night to begin a four-game series against the Miami Marlins (3-7). You can catch the game on MASN at 7:05 PM ET. Tanner Roark (1-1, 2.45 ERA) will get the start for the Nats against Jose Fernandez (0-1, 5.06) for the Marlins.

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