The Phillies continued their successful homestand with a 3-1 win over the Washington Nationals on Thursday night.
Phils’ pitching held the Nats to five hits.
The Phillies took three of four from the Nationals. They have won three straight series and four of the last five to pull, once again, within a game of the .500 mark at 46-47.
In 10 games this month, the Phillies are 7-3. They are 5-2 on the 10-game homestand with three remaining against the Chicago White Sox.
Starting pitching report
Kyle Kendrick pitched a beauty. He allowed five hits and a run over seven innings, walked one and struck out two. Kendrick is 8-6. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the right-hander.
All-star Jordan Zimmermann also pitched well. He allowed eight hits and just two runs in 6 1/3 innings. He walked none and struck out six. Zimmermann is 12-4. This was his first loss since May 29.
Bullpen report
Antonio Bastardo protected the lead in the eighth and Jonathan Papelbon racked up his 20th save.
At the plate
Ben Revere continued to swing a hot bat. He had two hits, including a two-out RBI single in the fifth inning. The Nats tied the game in the sixth. The Phillies went ahead, 2-1, on a pinch-hit, RBI double by Kevin Frandsen with one out in the seventh. Frandsen’s hit came after Darin Ruf led off with a double. Frandsen is 11 for 31 with nine RBIs as a pinch-hitter.
The Phils scored an important insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Chase Utley doubled, moved up on a fly ball and scored on contact on a ground ball by Michael Young.
Bryce Harper tripled and scored the Nats’ only run.
In the field
Utley had a rough night in the field. He made three errors. Third baseman Young made one. The Phillies survived.
Domonic Brown cut down Harper with a strong throw to the plate on a base hit to left in the first inning.
Trade talk
GM Ruben Amaro Jr. could buy or sell. He doesn’t want to trade young players (see story).
Health check
Roy Halladay is throwing at 90 feet. If all continues to go well in his recovery from shoulder surgery, he could be back by September, Amaro says.
Up next
The Phillies host the Chicago White Sox in an interleague series beginning Friday night. The Phils are 5-9 against the American League this season. Pitching matchups:
Friday night – LH John Danks (2-6, 4.31) vs. RH Jonathan Pettibone (5-3, 3.84)
Saturday afternoon – LH Hector Santiago (3-5, 3.49) vs. John Lannan (2-3, 4.23)
Sunday afternoon – LH Jose Quintana (4-2, 3.67) vs. LH Cole Hamels (4-11, 4.17)
The White Sox are 36-53, last place in the AL Central.