The Washington Nationals offense came through in a big way on Wednesday night, leading them to a 15-1 victory over the Philidelphia Phillies.
The Washington Nationals and Philidelphia Phillies have played some great baseball over the course of the first two weeks of the 2019 season. With the season series tied 2-2, the teams wrapped up a three-game set Wednesday night with a battle of Jeremy Hellickson vs Nick Pivetta.
The Nationals wasted no time carrying their momentum over from Tuesday nights 10-6 comeback victory. Washington’s first three batters of the game reached base against Pivetta, and with the bases loaded Juan Soto worked a walk, giving the Nationals an early 1-0 lead.
The Nats were not done yet, as the next batter, Matt Adams nearly missed a grand slam, but settled for a deep sacrifice fly to left increasing the lead to 2-0. Catcher Yan Gomes kept the rally going with an RBI infield single, capping off a three-run first inning for the Nationals.
This first inning momentum was huge for Washington in more ways than one. Obviously, it gave the team a lead to work with, not to mention with their number five starter on the mound. But it carried over the feeling after the comeback win last night and kept things going in the right direction instead of taking a step back.
After some good work to escape a few minor jams by Hellickson, the Nationals were back on the attack in the top of the forth. Anthony Rendon continued his red-hot start as with the bases loaded he laced a three-run RBI double to right center, increasing the Washington lead to 6-0.
Once again the Nationals did not settle, as after a Soto walk “Big City” checked in with his first hit of the season, an RBI double to right, scoring Rendon, 7-0.
In the top of the fifth Washington continued to pour it on. After a walk to the pitcher Hellickson, Victor Robles drilled an RBI triple to center, making it 8-0. Robles did not have to stay on the basepaths long as three pitches later Adam Eaton ripped an RBI single to left, scoring Robles and making it 9-0.
The rout continued in the top of the seventh as after two walks Wilmer Difo scored on the second wild pitch of the inning by Edubray Ramos, making it 10-0. Eaton continued to pour it on next with an infield single, increasing the lead to 11-0.
Pinch-hitting for Rendon, Howie Kendrick extended the lead to a dozen, 12-0, with an RBI single to center. Adams and Gomes continue the huge seventh inning driving in runs to make it 14-0.
After yet another add-on-run in the top of the ninth, Trevor Rosenthal was able to close out the game despite giving up a run, giving Washington the 15-1 victory.