Phillies sweep Nationals, win fourth straight
Aug 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) is congratulated by second baseman Chase Utley (26) after hitting a home run during the first inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Kendrick or Doug Fister? Philadelphia Phillies or Washington Nationals? Sweep or series salvage?
Most baseball folks would probably figure the latter of each would be the right answer on most days, but not Wednesday night.
The Phillies won their fourth straight game and swept the Nationals in a three-game series in an 8-4 game played at Citizens Bank Park. The sweep tied the season series at 8-8, but the two teams have three games against one another in September.
Perhaps it was the Taney Dragons Little League World Series team that gave the Phillies the edge. Taney was honored and fans received t-shirts before the game. Mo’ne Davis and her teammates were on hand to be recognized. They even had a chance to dance with the Phanatic.
Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick was not exactly as dominant against the Nationals as Davis was in the LLWS, but he did earn the win while Fister took the loss. Kendrick allowed four earned runs on seven hits, including a solo home run, over six innings.
Antonio Bastardo and Jake Diekman each threw a scoreless inning of relief. Bastardo needed just nine pitches to retire the side in the seventh.
Ken Giles pitched in the ninth instead of Jonathan Papelbon, although it was not a save situation. Giles allowed two hits, but was bailed out by Jimmy Rollins as he made a nice defensive play for the final out that almost came back to hit Giles.
Rollins had a big night at the plate as well. He reached base every time up with two walks and two hits including a solo home run in the first inning.
Marlon Byrd drove in two runs with a two-run homer and Ryan Howard drove in one while both had three-hit games.
The most timely hit of the night, however, belonged to Grady Sizemore. The outfielder pinch-hit for Kendrick in the sixth and he drilled a two-run homer to right to give the Phillies a 5-4 lead.
The Phillies had 15 hits in the game and every starter had at least one except for Kendrick and Cody Asche.