Game of the Week Recap: Nationals 4, Phillies 1

By Kirk Cahill
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Updated: May 25, 2015

The Philadelphia Phillies (19-27) and the Washington Nationals (26-18) went head to head in the rubber match of their three game series at Nationals Park in Washington D.C, with the Nationals taking the game by a score of 4-1.

Struggling southpaw Gio Gonzalez faced off against Aaron Harang, who has turned into a tremendous signing for the Phillies, and while both pitchers pitched well, on this day it was Gonzalez who had the upper hand.

Phils rightfielder Jeff Francoeur started the scoring in the top of the fourth inning when he singled in shortstop Freddy Galvis. The Nationals would answer right back in the bottom of the inning when catcher Jose Lobaton drove in Clint Robinson with an RBI single.

The Nats took the lead in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI groundout by rightfielder Bryce Harper that scored third basemen Yunel Escobar.

The score would stay 2-1 until the seventh when the Nats would extend their lead on the bat of who else but Harper. The 22-year old superstar lashed a single to the opposite field, scoring Denard Span. Harper now has 43 RBI on the young season. First basemen Ryan Zimmerman would later plate Harper when he drove a double to center field, making the score 4-1.

Drew Storen would earn the save in the ninth, striking out two batters on his way to his 14th save on the season.

Top Performers

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez– 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

Bryce Harper– 2 for 3, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB

Denard Span– 2 for 4, 2 2B, 1 R

Phillies

Aaron Harang– 6 IP, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

Jeff Francoeur– 2 for 3, 1 RBI

Darin Ruf– 1 for 3, 1 2B, 1 BB

What’s Next

Both teams hit the road as the Phillies head to New York to take on the Mets on Monday at 1:10 PM ET while the Nationals land in Chicago to square off against the Cubs at 2:20 PM ET.

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Kirk Cahill

Contributing Writer at Legends On Deck®

Kirk is very knowledgeable of MLB's minor league system and brings a passion for writing about the stars of tomorrow. Kirk is also a contributing writer for MetsMerizedOnline and MetsMinors.net. He is a native New Yorker and lifelong Mets fan. Follow him on Twitter @KirkC_.