The Philadelphia Phillies are at 98 wins and two games from having a 100-game winning season. If they thought they'd easily reach that goal off the Washington Nationals dime, they learned a valuable lesson Thursday. After a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park the Phillies are still looking for those two wins. The Nationals swept all four games against the Phillies, ending with Thursday's game and a score of 6-1.
Nationals rookie pitcher Brad Peacock went five terrific innings giving up only one hit, no runs and walking two while striking out two. His performance earned him a 0.75 ERA and the second Major League win of his MLB career. It was a heavy hitting performance against a heavy hitting Phillies line up with Peacock looking to get even better.
The Nationals led 2-0 for most of the game before everything fell apart for Philadelphia in the eighth. Nationals outfielder Roger Bernadina began the route with a RBI double, his second RBI of the day against Phillies pitcher Roy Oswalt. After Ryan Zimmerman walked, Michael Morse stepped to the plate and delivered a three-run home run that put the Nats up 6-0.
The Phillies were able to put a run on the board in the ninth against reliever Todd Coffey, but that was the only run the Nationals would allow.
The Nationals are 10-8 in 2011 against the Phillies and have won the season series between them. Small beans considering the Phillies are still blundering their way into the Playoffs, but what a bright spot of hope for the Nationals future.