The Philadelphia Phillies lost their third consecutive game Thursday night, falling 3-2 to the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Despite being just 90 feet away from potentially tying the score in the ninth inning, the Phillies were unable to deliver a key hit as Trea Turner struck out on an inside sinker from Jose A. Ferrer to end the game.
“We wish we could have pulled it out,” said Turner. “The effort was there which was nice, but we just couldn’t get enough offense going.”
The team’s offensive struggles have been apparent over recent games, with only eight hits and one run scored in their previous two contests against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Against Washington, Philadelphia managed two runs and went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
Manager Rob Thomson commented on his team’s approach at the plate: “I think we’re probably trying to do a little too much at the plate. We got to get back to using the entire field, doing the little things, and big things will happen.”
Starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo delivered six-plus innings for Philadelphia, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out seven batters and walking three. Luzardo has now pitched at least six innings and given up no more than three earned runs in each of his last three starts. Five of his strikeouts came via a sweeper pitch that he began throwing this season.
“Being able to land the sweeper has been big all year,” Luzardo said. “Being able to throw it for strikes, for chase, throwing it in high-leverage counts, has been a good weapon for me. I went through a rough stretch where I didn’t have a good feel for it and lately it’s been good for me.”
Luzardo allowed only one run through six innings before giving up a leadoff walk and double in the seventh that led to two more runs after he left the game.
“I thought tonight went well, it felt really good,” Luzardo said. “The first six innings were great, we got through a good lineup and kept them off.”
Philadelphia opened scoring early with Bryson Stott doubling down the third-base line in the third inning before coming home on a fielder’s choice for an initial lead. In the fifth inning Kyle Schwarber drove home Turner with an RBI double that gave Philadelphia a brief 2-1 advantage.
Luzardo ran into trouble in the seventh inning after issuing walks and allowing hits that loaded the bases before reliever Orion Kerkering surrendered a two-run single to José Tena.
“Going into the seventh, I’m frustrated the way it ended with walking two guys and allowing the double,” Luzardo said. “The hits happen, but the walks are what rubbed me the wrong way about the outing.”
Despite these losses, Philadelphia maintained its five-game lead atop National League East standings after news that the Mets lost 4-3 to Atlanta at Citi Field.
Thomson emphasized what he wants from his players moving forward: “We’ve just got to get back to hitting simple,” he said.
