Gio Gonzalez clinches 21st win as Washington Nationals surpass Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 – MLB News
Starter Gio Gonzalez registers his 21st win as the Washington Nationals outclass the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 27, 2012 in the last match of their three game series.
Phillies got off to an ideal start as they posted three runs in the first inning. Continuation of the momentum from there onward would have handed them enough of a lead that the Nationals would struggle to surpass it.
However, they surrendered immediately after gaining control and let the opposition snatch a victory from them.
Gonzalez who was hammered for plenty in the first inning bounced back strongly. He stole Phillies’ freedom and handicapped them in his remaining innings on the mound. He made it nearly impossible for Philadelphia to construct anything substantial out of
their first-inning momentum.
As far as the Nationals’ offence was concerned, they banked on home-runs from their batters to score runs. In the last few weeks, the bulk of the runs scored by the Nationals have come through homers.
Their centre fielder Bryce Harper and left fielder Michael Morse were the most successful batters on Thursday. Morse smacked two home-runs as he contributed four RBIs in the game. Similarly Harper provided the team an early lead by thrashing a home-run in
the first inning.
Gonzalez has discussed as to how it felt when he was roughed up in the first inning. Despite the fact he recovered quickly, it was not an ideal start.
"I was a little bit out of whack," Gonzalez said. "I was like a split personality out there, talking to myself trying to figure it out. I really wanted to make a quality start."
Morse has been struggling with his left wrist and inflammation in his hand. However, on Thursday he left little reason to believe that it can affect his power at the plate.
"It felt real good coming off the bat," Morse said. "It's been a tough year for me, but the team's played great and everybody has been picking up for everybody."
Irrespective of the victory against the Phillies, Washington will be eyeing on the post-season and will be considering various combinations of players to employ in the important matches ahead.
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