The Philadelphia Phillies keep on keeping on. The Red-Hot Phillies (67-64) went in Nationals Park to take on the slumping, Washinton Nationals (55-74) in the opener of the series. Philly has now won four straight, and, for the fifth consecutive game, posted 7 runs in the 7-4 victory. The Phils also have scored in the first inning in the last three tilts. Philadelphia made some pre-games moves, releasing Chase Anderson and placing Didi Gregorius on paternity leave.
The man the Nats fans love to hate, Bryce Harper crushed a two-run shot that also scored Odubel Herra to put the visitors to a 2-0 lead that they would lose. The 381-foot moonshot was Harper’s 100th at Nationals Park. Andrew McCutchen scored on a Freddy Galvis ground out to close the inning with a 3-0 edge.
The Comeback
Washington struck back in the second inning with a Lane Thomas single to left that chased Carter Kieboom home Adrian Sanchez hit into a fielder’s choice that Luis Garcia scored on to cut it to a 3-2 game. Ronald Torreyes slammed a ball that hit the base of the fence to allow Harper, Brad Miller, and Freddy Galvis to make it home safely and, by the time Torreyes stopped running, he had a triple and blew the game open, 6-2.
The Grand Finale
Kierboom lowered the boom with a 395 foot home run to make it a three-run game, but, Brad Miller would counter with a homer of his own to get it back to a four-run differential. How good was Miller on this night? 3 for 3 with a pair of walks. Not too shabby. Juan Soto scampered home on a wild pitch to bring us to the 7-4 final score.
And Another Thing
Harper went 2 for 5. Zack Wheeler didn’t have his “A” game, but, was good enough to raise his record to 11-9. Wheeler went 6 innings surrendering 5 hits, 4 earned runs, 4 walks while fanning 4. Connor Brogdon, Archie Bradley, and, picking up his 5th save, Jose Alvardo, who pitched out of runners on first and second with outs jam. Alvado had his fastball working at topped out at 91 mph. Washington continues to free-fall and has now dropped 3 straight, 5 of 6, and 19 of 25. The Philadelphia Phillies keep on keeping on.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
