That Balls Outta Here
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Philadelphia Phillies Opposition Roadblock: Seattle Mariners

By Mike Azzalina

May 7, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) is mobbed by teammates after his walk-off sacrifice fly during the tenth inning defeated the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals, 6-5 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) is mobbed by teammates after his walk-off sacrifice fly during the tenth inning defeated the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals, 6-5 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 7, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) is mobbed by teammates after his walk-off sacrifice fly during the tenth inning defeated the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals, 6-5 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) is mobbed by teammates after his walk-off sacrifice fly during the tenth inning defeated the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals, 6-5 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

It was not an easy stretch of baseball for a young Phillies roster. Now that they have the toughest ten straight games they will have all season out of their way, they are ready to settle into a short two-game set with the Seattle Mariners.

The Phillies were able to salvage one from the Nationals this weekend. Say what you will about the last ten games. They were ugly, frustrating, and a veiled reminder of what this team currently is. However, I will argue with anyone that they are resilient. After the mental beatings they had taken in LA and Chicago, then the first two at home against Washington, Sunday could have been an easy loss. Instead, they battled back from down three with four outs left to steal a much-needed win.

Ryan Zimmerman is a different being. This weekend, I referred to him as a reincarnated version of himself on numerous occasions. Despite his day off Sunday, Zimmerman destroyed the Phillies this weekend. He put together a 5-for-9 weekend, scoring three runs driving in four, and blasting two homers. He could have had a third blast if not for an incredible Odubel Herrera catch on Saturday night. His three-RBI Saturday night led to half the National runs.

Phils Grade: F

Stephen Strasburg was good on Friday, but unable to get out of the sixth inning. He scattered five hits, walked four Phillies, and left without any damage done. Even A.J. Cole was good, but I tend to think that was more the Phils offense trying to do too much with someone they know they should have destroyed than anything Cole did.

So it is odd to think that the best start of the weekend for Washington came in their only loss. Tanner Roark was cruising for six innings before Dusty Baker turned to his Jekyll and Hyde bullpen. Roark was mixing up pitches and keeping the Phillies off-balance. The Phils plated to unearned runs off the righty, but that was it. He left the game with a 5-2 lead. The Phillies could not muster much off him and when they did hit a ball hard, it found a National glove.

Phils Grade: C+

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