#14 Phightin's upset #3 Nats in 4 games

Game #1  Phillies 5 Nationals 3

Nationals Park

Nola vs Scherzer

Baseball is known by its long season and the Phillies and Nationals started out on the journey by opening the season with a 14-inning marathon.  The Nationals took off like a hare in the bottom of the first inning scoring three times against Nola on a Daniel Murphy shot to right centerfield.   The lead would hold up as both starters shut down the offenses for the next 4 innings.  In the top of the 6^th the tortoise, in the form of the Phillies offense, caught back up to the tiring Nats with 3 runs of their own off of Scherzer on a walk, two singles, a double and a sacrifice fly. For the next 7 innings, no team could push anyone over the plate as both teams went to the pen many times with both team narrowly escaping scoring threats multiple times between the 9^th and 14^th innings.  Using their 11^th pitcher of the day (good thing we had 40 man rosters), in the top of the 14^th Joe Blanton yielded the game winner in the form of a two run shot by Rhys Hoskins to put this one on ice for the Phils.

Game #2  Nationals 7 Phillies 0  (Near Perfect Game for Gio Conzalez)

Nationals Park

Hellickson vs Gonzalez

The story of game 2….Gio Gonzalez comes within 1 walk of a perfect game and the Nationals offense finds it swagger.  Gonzalez was untouchable on this day and except for a walk to Phillies catcher Rupp in the top of the 3rd inning no other Phillies reached base.  (Note: This is my second no-hitter in DKS!).  The national scored all the runs they would need on Michael Taylors RBI double in the bottom of the inning as Trea Turner scored all the way from first, narrowly beating the throw home by Phillies leftfielder Hoskins. Over the next two innings the Nationals would get to Hellickson for 5 more runs before adding another in the 7^th.  A tired Gonzalez struggled a bit in the 9^th, but held the Phillies in check for the no-hitter, giving the Nationals pen a breather after the 14 inning game the night before.

Game #3  Phillies 4 Nationals 2

Citizens Bank Park

Strasburg vs Eickoff

With the series tied at 1 each another nail biter was on tap for the Philly Phans.  The nationals broke out with a 2-1 lead after three.  IN the middle three innings, the pitching on both sides shut the offenses down and heading into the bottom of the 8^th the game was still 2-1 Nationals.  A tiring Strasburg was pulled by Manager Nixon in the 7^th as Matt Albers continued the pitching dominance in the 7^th.  In the 8^th  Madson came in to get the first out before yielding 2 singles.  Manager Nixon went to the pen again calling on lefty Sammy Solis…demonstrating the wisdom of the move for all, firstbaseman Tommy Joseph slammed a Solis pitch deep down the left filed line for a  three one homer and all the runs the Phils would need to put this one on ice and take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Game #4  Phillies 6 Nationals 2

Citizens Bank Park

Roark vs Velasquez

Wishing to wrap up the series without needing to go back to the nation’s capital, the Phillies wasted no time getting to Nationals starter Tanner Roark.  Hitting 4 homeruns on the day, the Nationals were never in this one as their noted pitching was slammed by the Phillie sluggers.  In the meantime, the Phils pitching could do no wrong.  The Nationals  wouldn’t get a hit of their own until the 5^th (by then tailing 5-0) and would only score their two runs on Michael Taylors second home run of the series in the top of the 6^th before they were shut out the rest of the way. For the most part this was a great and exciting series.  Most of the games were close and competitive all the way.  Dave, in his rookie KOD season, managed the Phils masterfully and kept the Nationals off balance for all but the one game Gonzalez pitched.  Phillie pitchers would made noted Nationals artillery
Bryce Harper (.063), and Michael Taylor (.167) look like popguns throughout.

Good luck to Dave and the Phils in the next round!

--submitted by Mark Nixon--