PHILADELPHIA — Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera had never recorded a hit in the major leagues. Then he roped a double down the right-field line off Tanner Roark in the 10th inning Saturday night, scoring Carlos Ruiz from second base and giving Philadelphia a 3-2 win in walk-off fashion.
The Nationals fell to 1-4 on the season.
THE RUNDOWN: For a while, it looked like this would be a classic low-scoring, grind-it-out win for the Nationals. Doug Fister worked 6 1/3 scoreless innings, Wilson Ramos hit a solo homer and pinch-hitter Clint Robinson knocked in an insurance run in the eighth inning. Then, the Phillies flipped a switch. Four consecutive hits off Blake Treinen turned into two runs, tying the game, and Herrera drove in Ruiz in the 10th to win it for the Phillies.
THE HIGHLIGHT: A few worthy candidates here tonight, but I’m a sucker for well-executed relays. So I’ll go with the one that ended the first inning. With two outs and Chase Utley at first base, Ryan Howard doubled to the right-field corner. It was a no-doubt double and, in many cases, that runner is going to score. Not here. Bryce Harper hit the cutoff man, Danny Espinosa, who turned and fired for home, where Wilson Ramos was waiting. It was a routine play performed to perfection, and when you’re struggling at the plate like the Nationals have so far this season, saving runs becomes even more important.
STAR OF THE GAME: Fister was solid, but I’m going to give the nod to Craig Stammen. He’s always wanted a shot in late-inning situations, and he got one tonight with the score tied at 2 in the ninth. After surrendering a leadoff double to pinch-hitter Jeff Francoeur, Stammen struck out Ben Revere and Freddy Galvis, intentionally walked Chase Utley and struck out Cesar Hernandez. A huge performance in a huge spot.
THE TAKEAWAY: Well, I think it’s time to add bullpen concerns to the list of what’s ailing the Nationals early in the season. We’re only five games in, of course, but the void left by Tyler Clippard is becoming more clear every day. Treinen showed the kind of toughness you need in that eighth-inning role by working out of a two-on, one-out jam, but he also put himself in that situation in the first place. Also, Danny Espinosa hit left-handed twice after supposedly giving up switch-hitting. More on that to come.
SEE ALSO: Jayson Werth homers in rehab appearance, could rejoin Nationals on Monday
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
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