Nationals answer Phillies quickly in second (Phils win 2-1)
By Byron Kerr
Nationals right-hander Doug Fister has been a perfect 5-0 in five starts at Nationals Park this season.
But he struggled a bit in the second inning of Friday's matchup against the Phillies. After notching the first two outs, Grady Sizemore hit a ball to deep left field. Bryce Harper was able to get a glove on the hit, but was unable to catch the ball.
Sizemore was given a double on the play. Following a walk to Carlos Ruiz, Cody Asche smacked a single to score Sizemore and the Phillies led 1-0.
Phillies right-hander Roberto Hernandez set down the Nationals 1-2-3 in the first inning.
But in the second, Adam LaRoche led off with a single and went to third on a two-base throwing error by Asche. Ian Desmond's single plated LaRoche and the Nationals quickly tied the game, 1-1.
Harper slapped a ball to right fielder Marlon Byrd who dove for the ball, but could not catch the dying liner.
With men on first and third, Asdrubal Cabrera lined out to Ryan Howard at first and he doubled up Harper at first base for two quick outs.
Wilson Ramos was walked intentionally and Fister lined out to left to end the inning.
The game is tied 1-1 after two innings.
Update: Jayson Werth flashed his glove and throwing skills in the fifth. With Asche in scoring position, Ben Revere singled to right and Werth threw out Asche trying to score from third base. Ramos made a nice sweeping tag to prevent the run from scoring.
Nationals and Phillies are tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth.
Update II: Marlon Byrd gave the Phillies the lead back with a solo homer over the right-center field wall in the sixth inning. It came on an 0-1 pitch and was Byrd's 21st homer of the season. The Phillies lead 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth.
Update III: Fister finished seven innings, six hits, allowed two runs, both earned, one solo homer, two walks and struck out five. He tossed 106 pitches, 74 for strikes.
Update IV: The Nationals were unable to tally a run in the bottom of the ninth against Jonathan Papelbon.
After a Werth groundout to short, LaRoche sliced a single to left field. Desmond followed with a single to the same place.
With two men on, Harper struck out on a 3-2 splitter.
Asdrubal Cabrera, making his Nationals debut, struck out to end the game.
Papelbon recorded his 26th save.
The Phillies beat the Nationals 2-1. The Nationals have lost five of their last seven games and fall to 58-49 on the season.
But he struggled a bit in the second inning of Friday's matchup against the Phillies. After notching the first two outs, Grady Sizemore hit a ball to deep left field. Bryce Harper was able to get a glove on the hit, but was unable to catch the ball.
Sizemore was given a double on the play. Following a walk to Carlos Ruiz, Cody Asche smacked a single to score Sizemore and the Phillies led 1-0.
Phillies right-hander Roberto Hernandez set down the Nationals 1-2-3 in the first inning.
But in the second, Adam LaRoche led off with a single and went to third on a two-base throwing error by Asche. Ian Desmond's single plated LaRoche and the Nationals quickly tied the game, 1-1.
Harper slapped a ball to right fielder Marlon Byrd who dove for the ball, but could not catch the dying liner.
With men on first and third, Asdrubal Cabrera lined out to Ryan Howard at first and he doubled up Harper at first base for two quick outs.
Wilson Ramos was walked intentionally and Fister lined out to left to end the inning.
The game is tied 1-1 after two innings.
Update: Jayson Werth flashed his glove and throwing skills in the fifth. With Asche in scoring position, Ben Revere singled to right and Werth threw out Asche trying to score from third base. Ramos made a nice sweeping tag to prevent the run from scoring.
Nationals and Phillies are tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth.
Update II: Marlon Byrd gave the Phillies the lead back with a solo homer over the right-center field wall in the sixth inning. It came on an 0-1 pitch and was Byrd's 21st homer of the season. The Phillies lead 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth.
Update III: Fister finished seven innings, six hits, allowed two runs, both earned, one solo homer, two walks and struck out five. He tossed 106 pitches, 74 for strikes.
Update IV: The Nationals were unable to tally a run in the bottom of the ninth against Jonathan Papelbon.
After a Werth groundout to short, LaRoche sliced a single to left field. Desmond followed with a single to the same place.
With two men on, Harper struck out on a 3-2 splitter.
Asdrubal Cabrera, making his Nationals debut, struck out to end the game.
Papelbon recorded his 26th save.
The Phillies beat the Nationals 2-1. The Nationals have lost five of their last seven games and fall to 58-49 on the season.
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