Philadelphia @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 14, 2011 ) Washington 0, Philadelphia 0
THE STORY: Very little seems to be able to slow down the Philadelphia Phillies’ momentum this season. The Phillies became the first team in the majors to reach 80 wins on Thursday when they took out the Arizona Diamondbacks. They will likely remain the lone 80-win juggernaut for another week before the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox reach the plateau. The lack of suitable challengers in the National League is the only thing the Phillies are worried about these days. The Washington Nationals are fresh off a series win and are pointed back up, looking to close the gap to a .500 record. Philadelphia will send Roy Oswalt to the mound on Friday when it kicks off a three-game set at Washington.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Livan Hernandez (7-11, 4.21 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Roy Oswalt (5-7, 3.84 ERA)
Hernandez bounced back from a terrible start at Colorado to defeat the Phillies last weekend, surrendering just an unearned run on four hits in 6 2/3 innings. The ageless righthander is still capable of strong outings and has allowed two earned runs or less in five of his last nine starts. Hernandez owns a career 13-11 record with a 3.54 ERA in 31 turns against Philadelphia.
Oswalt is settling back in after a lengthy stint on the disabled list. The veteran righthander earned his first win since June 12 last time out, holding Washington to three runs on six hits in seven innings. Oswalt has fared well against the Nationals in his career, going 6-4 with a 3.17 ERA in 19 games - 17 starts.
ABOUT THE NATIONALS (59-63): Washington has had a rough time finding its offense lately, averaging just 3.1 runs per game over the last nine contests. Thankfully the pitching has been at times brilliant, allowing the Nationals to win five of those nine. On Thursday, it was Jordan Zimmermann’s turn, and the young righthander did not disappoint. Zimmermann tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing six hits in a 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The victory clinched a series win and moved Washington within four games of .500. Former Red Jonny Gomes did the offensive damage, singling in a pair of runs in the sixth, and Jesus Flores hit a solo homer. Gomes’ hit snapped a six-game hitless streak for the journeyman outfielder.
ABOUT THE PHILLIES (80-42): Philadelphia has won 15 of its last 18 games and only has complacency to fight off between now and the end of September. Even if the Phillies were to suffer a catastrophic drop in performance and fall behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, they would still be far ahead in the NL wild card race. While the starters rightfully get most of the headlines, it was the bullpen that did the heavy lifting on Thursday. Following a rain delay of over two hours that forced starter Vance Worley from the contest, four Philadelphia relievers combined to allow two hits over the final six frames. John Mayberry Jr. hit his 10th homer in the contest - a two-run shot off the foul pole in left - and has now gone deep in three of his last five starts.
FINAL PITCH: The Phillies were down three starters on Thursday, as first baseman Ryan Howard sat out with a sore right hand, outfielder Shane Victorino began serving a two-game suspension and catcher Carlos Ruiz was given some time to heal a left testicle contusion. Both Howard and Ruiz are expected back in the lineup soon.