Neither mother nature nor the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen could keep the Washington Nationals down Friday night at Nationals Park. Thanks to the ninth inning heroics of star third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, the Nationals beat the Phillies in a game initially started (for all of five minutes), then delayed for the next two hours and 22 minutes. It was just the second loss in the last 13 road games for the NL East-leading Phillies.
Trailing 4-2, Washington sent eight batters to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, with Jayson Werth singling to start the rally after a 11 pitch at bat against Philadelphia closer Ryan Madson. With two outs, and a 3-2 count, Zimmerman sealed the deal with the eighth walk-off home run of his career, and his third grand slam. This is the second time Zimmerman has ended a game with a four bagger. It was only the second blown save of the season for Madson.
Livan Hernandez started the game and also came out to pitch after the rain delay, allowing four runs in four innings on seven hits and two walks. Washington's Tom Gorzelanny, Sean Burnett and Todd Coffey held the Phillis scoreless the rest of the game, allowing for Zimmerma's heroics in the ninth.
The Nationals and Phillies again face off Saturday at Nationals Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 P.M.