Early solo homers help Corbin (Nats win 7-2)

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

September 23, 2019, 4:08pm

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The Nationals used the longball to take the lead early on against Phillies right-hander Zach Eflin. Adam Eaton crushed an upper deck solo homer to right field in the bottom of the first. His career-high 15th homer of the season came on a 3-2 pitch.

In the second inning with two outs, Yan Gomes launched a line-drive solo homer to center field. His 11th homer of the season on a 1-1 offering made it 2-0 Nats.

The Phillies notched singles by Bryce Harper and Andrew Knapp off left-hander Patrick Corbin but were unable to score in the first three frames. Harper struck out swinging on a 94-mph fastball from Corbin in the top of the third.

In the bottom half, the Nats did it again. Trea Turner blasted a solo homer for his 17th to boost the lead to 3-0. The Nats loaded the bases for a possible knockout punch, but a 1-2-3 double play from Howie Kendrick slowed the rally.

After three innings, the Nats lead the Phillies 3-0.

Update: The Nats picked up two more runs off Eflin in the fifth. Anthony Rendon delivered a run-scoring single, and another run scored on AsdrÃºbal Cabrera's groundout to first base.

After five innings, the Nats lead the Phillies 5-0.

Update II: The Phillies picked up a run in the sixth when they loaded the bases on Corbin. Harper scored on a fielder's choice by CÃ©sar HernÃ¡ndez. Rendon was charged with a throwing error on the play.

Mid-sixth, the Nats lead the Phillies 5-1.

Update III: Corbin was tested for six innings, but allowed just one run on three hits with four walks and six strikeouts. He fired 108 pitches, 64 for strikes.

After six innings, the Nats lead the Phillies 5-1.

Update IV: The Phillies allowed a pinch-hit single to Ryan Zimmerman and then four consecutive walks in the eighth to score two runs.

After eight innings, the Nats lead the Phillies 7-1.

Update V: Knapp got an RBI double for the Phillies in the ninth off of Javy Guerra, scoring Adam Haseley. A beautiful spinning glove and throw by Turner ended the game.

Final score: the Nats 7, the Phillies 2.