Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) – Odubel Herrera went 3-for-4 with a walk,
an RBI and two runs scored, helping the Philadelphia Phillies snap a six-game
losing streak with a 5-3 win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday.
Freddy Galvis had a pair of RBI singles for the Phillies, who got another
solid outing from Aaron Harang (2-1). The veteran hurler allowed three runs
on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts over six innings.
Bryce Harper hit a long home run for Washington, which had won three straight
games.
Jordan Zimmermann (1-2) was tagged for four runs — two earned — on four hits
and four walks in 6 1/3 innings.
Ryan Howard was replaced by pinch-runner Ben Revere after working a walk
against Zimmermann to begin the seventh. Revere stole second base and advanced
to third on a flyout before scoring the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice. He
beat a throw home from Ryan Zimmerman, who fielded a ground ball hit by pinch-
hitter Grady Sizemore.
With two runners aboard in the bottom of the seventh, second baseman Chase
Utley made a diving stop on a sharply hit grounder by Zimmerman and threw to
first for the final out.
Revere led off the ninth with a double and scored on a two-out single by
Herrera to make it 5-3.
Jonathan Papelbon retired the Nationals in order in the bottom of the ninth to
earn his third save of the season.
Harang gave up singles to the first two batters of the game and Washington
produced a run with consecutive groundouts.
The Phillies were able to capitalize on a couple defensive miscues by
Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond in the third to grab a 2-1 lead. Desmond
bungled an innocuous grounder by Harang but it appeared he recovered in time
to narrowly throw the Philadelphia right-hander out at first base.
However, the Phillies challenged the play and it was overturned as Harang beat
the throw. Desmond was charged with his eighth error of the young season, and
it sparked the Philadelphia offense.
Herrera sent a double the opposite way to left field and Galvis tied it with
an RBI single to center.
Philadelphia moved ahead when Desmond couldn’t complete a double play on
Utley’s grounder to second baseman Dan Uggla. Desmond dropped the ball on the
exchange, allowing Herrera to score.
The Nationals tied it in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Jose Lobaton,
but the Phillies regained the lead with a two-out rally in the next inning.
After retiring the first two batters on only three pitches, Zimmermann walked
Herrera, who stole second and came around to score on Galvis’ blooper to left.
Harper crushed a home run to deep center field in the bottom of the fifth to
even the game at 3.
Game Notes
Home plate umpire Brian Knight left the game in the top of the ninth after
being struck in the facemask by a pitch. Second base umpire Larry Vanover
moved behind the plate … The Phillies avoided their first 0-6 start on the
road since 1988 … Desmond had three hits … Utley was 0-for-4 and is now
hitless in his last 17 at-bats.
