Philadelphia Phillies take lead in series against Washington Nationals 4-1 – MLB Update
The Philadelphia Phillies put in a brilliant performance to beat the Washington Nationals 4-1 to take a lead in series at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia on Tuesday, May 3.
Given that the Philadelphia Phillies fans are very vocal about their likes and dislike in the field, ex-Philly Jayson Werth who now plays for long time rival, the Washington Nationals, must have been mentally prepared for a bit of booing. Initially like
everyone had anticipated, the Phillies’ fans did give him a hard time and booed him relentlessly, but all it took was a tip of his helmet to acknowledge the fans and the boos turned to cheers.
"I was very grateful," Werth said. "I'll remember it for the rest of my life. It meant a lot to me."
Cole Hamels was exceptionally good as he pitched a five hitter. Raul Ibanez contributed by doubling twice and before anyone knew it; the Phillies had won 4-1.
This game against Washington was his eighth complete game and during it he successfully struck-out six and walked only one.
In six and one-third innings, Livan Hernandez gave up four runs and allowed ten hits to pass him by. Michael Morse belted out a home-run for the Nationals.
The Phillies are currently leading the National League East and have been getting comfortable on the top spot for all the Power Rankings that have been coming up. The fact that they have managed to win nine out of 12 and are 19-9 overall may be helping them
stay on top in the League as well as the rankings.
Hernandez carefully retired the first eight batters that met him on the field until Hamels came out in all his glory and tripled in the third inning. He achieved it by hitting a high drive and then hustling into the third standing. "I knew it wasn't out,
so I kept running and if they threw me out then I got a double," Hamels said.
Hamels pleasantly surprised everyone with his performance off the pitching mound. Regarding his performance he said, "Being a pitcher, you're not supposed to hit, we have a competition among the starters and I don't want to lose."
The Nationals only run came in the seventh inning as Morse homered towards the right side of the field.
As for the Phillies, Jimmy Rollins singled towards centre-field and Hamels proceeded to score in the third inning. Next, in the fifth inning Placido Polanco hit a sacrifice fly as Rollins scored and Shane Victorino moved towards second base. The next two
runs came in the seventh inning, as Ryan Howard singled and Victorino scored off it. The last run came as Ibanez doubled while Howard scored.
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