Phillies look to beat up on their divisional rival Washington Nationals. This series should have been a cakewalk after the damage done in Chicago. Of course, nothing is ever easy in Philly. Phillies drop a winnable series against the Nationals.
Has Anyone Seen the Phillies’ Offense
Friday was a major letdown for the Phillies and their fans. A 2-1 loss to the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park ended a four-game winning streak. It was a lost opportunity for the Phillies. The Phillies are 18-6 (.750) since June 2. The Braves (21-3, .875) are the only team in baseball to have played better in that span.
No. 5 starter Cristopher Sánchez allowed only two runs (one earned) in six innings. He struck out six and walked one. He allowed a two-run home run to Stone Garrett in the second, which followed a throwing error from Trea Turner that put Keibert Ruiz on base. The Phillies had opportunities to make the unearned run inconsequential. They were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Turner and Nick Castellanos started the sixth inning with a pair of singles. Turner stole third, putting runners on first and third with no outs. They were not able to capitalize. Alec Bohm started the seventh inning with a double, but he did not score either.
The Phillies have not hit for as much power as expected. They are just 14th in home runs per game (1.22) since June 2. The Phillies rank in the lower third of the Majors in home runs this season with 86. They hit 20 more home runs at this point last season. They could have used a homer on Friday.
Oh, There it Is!
Phillies walloped the Nats 19-4 on Saturday afternoon. It was the first time the Phillies scored 19 or more runs in a game since a 20-1 victory over the Marlins on April 7, 2018. This was only the second time the Phillies have scored 19 or more runs in a game since 2009. It was the Phils’ most extra-base hits in a game since they had nine on July 16, 2022.
Schwarber has a .915 OPS since June 1. Harper has not homered in a career-high 136 consecutive plate appearances, dating to May 25, but he had two hits Saturday. He also took extra bases with aggressive, heads-up baserunning in the second and third innings. Castellanos fell a triple short of a cycle, but Thomson pulled him from the game in the sixth inning to get him off his feet. Castellanos is batting .314 with 11 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a .863 OPS.
Bohm was the player of this game. He tied career highs with four hits, two home runs, and six RBIs. He homered three times in his first 10 games this season but just four in his next 58.
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
What looked to be the Phillies picking up where they left off on Saturday changed quickly. Ranger came out and mowed the Nats down in the first two innings in only 25 pitches. The Phillies bats also jumped out to an early lead. Nick Castellanos launches a first-inning solo homer. JT Realmuto follows up with a two-run jack of his own. Things looked good until an error derailed Ranger in the third. Stone Garrett blasts a grand slam taking the 4-3 lead over Philly. Jeimer Candelario homers to bring the lead to two runs. A 20-minute rain delay caused both teams to dip into the bullpen. In the bottom of the seventh, Castellanos drives a run in scoring Kyle Schwarber after a leadoff double. Unfortunately, three double-play balls in the later part of the game were costly. Phillies lose 5-4. Phillies drop a winnable series against the Nationals.
Al is one of the two co-creators of Edge of Philly Sports. Al started radio and podcasting in 2012 and covering sports in 2015. A lifelong Philly sports fan since watching the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers with his grandfathers at age 7. Al always looks at the other side of the hot topics and gives his different outlook on those topics. Web and Graphic Design.
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