Washington Nationals: 3 Takeaways From 4-3 Win Over Phillies
![May 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa (8) steals second past the tag attempt of Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) during the eighth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Nationals won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fdistrictondeck-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F05-2Ffreddy-galvis-danny-espinosa-mlb-washington-nationals-philadelphia-phillies-850x560-eadf81de90a9cc843745d3b902ad284e.jpg)
![May 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa (8) steals second past the tag attempt of Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) during the eighth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Nationals won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fdistrictondeck-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F05-2Ffreddy-galvis-danny-espinosa-mlb-washington-nationals-philadelphia-phillies-850x560-8f9b35aa26d7d697fc88eff38abeb974.jpg)
Check out our three takeaways from the Washington Nationals 4-3 win over the Phillies last night.
Last night, the Washington Nationals (31-21) offense was held to one run over the first seven innings by Jeremy Hellickson and the Philadelphia Phillies (26-25). Then, in the eighth inning, against one of the better relievers on the Phillies in Hector Neris, the Nats scored three runs, including a game-winning two-run single by Daniel Murphy to seal a win for Tanner Roark.
While Murphy’s game-winning hit and three RBI’s were the positive story of the night, but the negative storyline involved Bryce Harper. Harper, who has been struggling for most of the month of May, had to leave the game after the top of the seventh after being hit in the right knee on a pitch from Hellickson. However, while more information has yet to be announced, Harper and Baker didn’t sound as worried after the win last night, according to Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post:
Just like the last series in Philadelphia, Jonathan Papelbon did make it interesting when he allowed back-to-back doubles and a run to start the bottom of the ninth. But, the Nats’ closer retired the next three Phillies’ hitters, including two strikeouts to seal his 14th save of the year.
Before Joe Ross takes on Aaron Nola tonight in the final game of the month of May (7:05 p.m ET, MASN2), here are my three takeaways from the Washington Nationals’ 4-3 win over the Phillies last night at Citizens Bank Park:
Next: Murphy Provides Bulk Of Offense
![May 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) touches the plate in front of Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz (51) after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fdistrictondeck-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F05-2Fdaniel-murphy-carlos-ruiz-mlb-washington-nationals-philadelphia-phillies-850x560-862a667cad064a073e16303f601fc270.jpg)
Murphy Provides Bulk Of Offense
Last night, Daniel Murphy continued his storybook start to the season as he went 3-for-4 with a home run, a run scored, and three RBI’s. Murphy’s night started in the top of the second when he doubled down the left field line for the Nats’ first hit of the night.
Two innings later, he hit a 0-1 fastball from Hellickson over the wall in right center for a solo home run to tie the game at one. Murphy now has eight home runs on the season, which is only six away from tying his career-high from last season with the Mets.
Then, in the top of the eighth, Murphy took two splitters out of the strike zone against Neris to work the count to 2-0. With the bases loaded, Murphy hit a fastball into right field for a two-run single to give the Nats a 4-2 lead.
It’s been a historic month of May for the the 31-year-old second baseman. This month, Murphy is hitting .413 with six home runs, 22 RBI’s, and a .421 on-base percentage. His 45 hits already are a Nats record for the most hits in any month and he’s two hits away from tying the Expos record as William Ladson of MLB.com tweeted Saturday night:
The Nats/Expos record for hits in a month is 47 (Al Oliver: August 1982 and Marquis Grissom: June 1994).
— William Ladson (@ladsonbill24) May 29, 2016
At this point in the season, you would have to think Murphy is the favorite to start at second base for the National League in San Diego at the All-Star Game in July. But, if he can somehow keep this going all year, it could be a historic season for Murphy in his first year in DC.
Next: Strategy Against Neris Pays Off
![May 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth (28) hits an RBI single during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Nationals won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fdistrictondeck-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F05-2Fjayson-werth-mlb-washington-nationals-philadelphia-phillies-850x560-3df080a8899dabbf5f6d5edd40e77a5b.jpg)
Eighth Inning Strategy Against Neris Pays Off
Other than that Murphy home run in the fourth, the Nats didn’t do much against Hellickson for the majority of the night. The Phillies’ right-hander went seven innings, gave up the lone home run on three hits, struck out eight, and did not walk a batter on just 79 pitches (53 strikes). Hellickson has now only given up one run in his last two outings against the Washington Nationals.
In the eighth, the Nats went up against Hector Neris, who had a 0.98 ERA in the eighth inning coming into the night. With one out, Danny Espinosa drew a walk. Two batters later, after a great leaping grab by Maikel Franco took a hit away from Clint Robinson, Ben Revere took a 3-2 pitch and drew another walk.
Then, Jayson Werth had his second clutch hit in as many days when he tied the game with a RBI single to left. After Chris Heisey (in for Harper) drew the third walk of the inning, Murphy hit his two-run single which eventually gave the Nats the win.
Neris didn’t finish the inning as he threw 29 pitches to get two outs and was eventually replaced by Jeanmar Gomez. The 29 pitches he threw last night were the third most he’s thrown in any game this year. In his previous for appearances against Washington, his maximum pitch count was 17 (April 26). Plus, three of Neris’ ten walks came in last night’s game.
Give the Washington Nationals lineup credit last night for staying patient and drawing those walks to set themselves up for a big inning that helped their starting pitcher pick up a well-deserved win.
![May 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Tanner Roark (57) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fdistrictondeck-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F05-2Ftanner-roark-mlb-washington-nationals-philadelphia-phillies-825x560-4706159a4be4f7c7b85974d4525cbd70.jpg)
Roark Continues To Dominate Phillies
Ever since that bad outing against the Marlins in Game two of a doubleheader back on May 14, Tanner Roark has been a different pitcher. Over his last 20.2 innings pitched, he has given up only four runs and struck out 16 batters. He is 2-1 in that time thanks to that Nats’ three-run eighth inning getting him his second win this month. Plus, he has a 1.29 ERA in two starts against Philadelphia.
In last night’s game, Roark went seven innings, gave up two runs on four hits, struck out four, and walked two on 97 pitches (66 strikes) in the win. He threw 17 first pitch strikes to the 26 batters he faced and had 14 groundball outs, which was his second highest total of the season.
More from District on Deck
- 3 Free Agents the Nationals Should Gamble On
- A Washington Nationals Christmas Wishlist
- Washington Nationals: Is Seth Lugo Still an Option?
- Robots in Baseball? The Possibility of an Automated Ball/Strike System in the MLB
- Washington Nationals Re-Sign RHP Erasmo Ramirez
One of those Phillies’ run against him came in the second inning and they didn’t need even a hit to do it. With one out, Cesar Hernandez drew a walk, stole second, and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. After a Tyler Goeddel walk, Hellickson helped his own cause, but with a sacrifice bunt.
Four innings later, Freddy Galvis hit a 1-2 slider over the wall in right center to give Philadelphia a 2-1 lead. In 24 at-bats against the Nats this season, Galvis is hitting .292, which is his highest batting average against any NL East opponent.
Next: Nats-Phillies Series Preview (5/30-6/1)
After giving up the home run, the Nats’ right-hander retired the last six hitters he faced on the night. Even though Roark continues to struggles with his command at times, he has been able to limit some of the damage and has been giving the Nats a lot of quality starts this year.