The Philadelphia Phillies snapped their three-game losing streak on Sunday afternoon, taking down the Nationals 4-3 in the first game of a doubleheader. Their record improves to 14-20.
On The Mound
- Jeremy Hellickson was mediocre once again, lasting just five innings and allowing three runs on six hits.
- Hellickson struck out only one batter, and gave up two homers.
- Joely Rodriguez took over in the sixth, and pitched two scoreless innings.
- Joaquin Benoit pitched a scoreless eighth and got the win.
- Hector Neris closed out the game in the ninth for his fourth save.
At The Plate
- The offense managed four runs on 10 hits.
- For eight innings, the team managed only one run, coming on a solo homer from Tommy Joseph in the seventh.
- The team would rally for three runs in the ninth. Aaron Altherr got things going with a solo homer. Cameron Rupp doubled home a run two batters later, and Ty Kelly singled home the winning run.
- Cesar Hernandez went 1-4 with a walk.
- Daniel Nava got a start in right, but went 0-4 with a walk.
- Altherr finished 2-3 with a walk, and started in center for Odubel Herrera.
- Maikel Franco went 1-4 with a double in the ninth inning.
- Freddy Galvis went 0-3 with a walk.
- Ty Kelly started in left, going 1-4.
- Brock Stassi picked up a double in a pinch-hit appearance.
Final Thoughts
After giving away a game in the ninth on Saturday night, the Phils managed to steal one back with a late rally of their own today.
I like that Pete Mackanin has finally begun to shake things up with his lineup a bit. Over the last week, Maikel Franco has mercifully been removed from the cleanup spot and dropped to fifth or sixth in the order. The move was long overdue, as Franco has struggled just to stay above .200 through the first month and a half.
Meanwhile, Tommy Joseph has enjoyed a bit of a resurgence, and Aaron Altherr has been the best reason to watch the Phillies in the early part of the season. The lineup still is going to struggle to generate more than four runs a game, but its nice to see some of the young players taking advantage of their opportunity.
