The Washington Nationals got some great pitching from their staff tonight but it wasn’t enough as they lost 1-0 to the Philadelphia Phillies. Jon Rauch gave up the only run of the game in the of the 9th and that’s all that the Phillies would need. This loss drops the Nationals down to 20-27 this season.
Jason Bergmann started the game for the Nationals and was absolutely terrific. Bergmann threw seven shut out innings and gave up only five hits and struck out five. Unfortunately, his offense couldn’t help him get a win. He lowered his ERA on the season to 5.47. Saul Rivera threw a scoreless 8th inning and left the 9th inning for closer Jon Rauch. Rauch coughed up three hits and the only run of the game as he picked up his first loss of the season.
The offense just couldn’t get anything going against Phillies ace, Cole Hamels. The Nationals mustered only five hits all game, led by Cristian Guzman who had two hits. Wily Mo Pena doubled and that was the only extra base hit that the Nationals would get. They struck out 13 times, three of them by Jesus Flores.
The Nats and Phillies will wrap up their three game series tomorrow night in DC. Matt Chico starts the game on the mound for Washington. Game time is 7:10pm.