PHILADELPHIA — Ignoring advice from his manager and hitting coach paid off for Freddy Galvis.
Galvis hit an RBI double off Jonathan Papelbon with two outs in the 10th inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies over the Washington Nationals, 3-2, on Sunday, ending the Nationals’ seven-game winning streak.
Bryce Harper hit a home run in his fourth consecutive game, a solo shot in the top of the 10th that put the Nationals up, 2-1. The Phillies then rallied off their former closer.
Pinch-hitter Andres Blanco hit an RBI single with two outs to tie it. He scored when Galvis drove a ball over left fielder Jayson Werth’s head.
Galvis stomped on second base and players rushed from the Phillies’ dugout to chase him down and celebrate.
“I played behind him so I know how he pitches,” Galvis said of Papelbon, who blew a save by allowing a home run to Galvis in his first game back in Philadelphia last September. “I know what his ball does.”
Phillies manager Pete Mackanin and hitting coach Steve Henderson have been trying to get Galvis to use a heavier bat to slow down his swing. Henderson even ordered five of the heavier bats and placed them in Galvis’ locker.
“One of his issues is he’s over-aggressive,” Mackanin said.
Galvis, who swung the heavier bat last season when he batted .263, said he used the bigger bat the past three days in batting practice, but he stuck with the lighter one against Papelbon.
“I know the situation,” he said. “I wanted to put the ball in play.”
Papelbon had converted each of his five previous save opportunities.
“I just didn’t execute,” Papelbon said.
Peter Bourjos hit a one-out double to left off Papelbon. Blanco lined a hit to left and the speedy Bourjos scored just ahead of Werth’s throw.
“It’s not an easy game on the bench,” Blanco said. “You have to do the best you can.”
Harper sent a full-count pitch from Jeanmar Gomez (1-0) into the seats in right-center field for his sixth home run. The reigning National League MVP became the second player to hit a home run in six consecutive games in Philadelphia, joining Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, who did it in 1955.
“Gomez has good stuff,” Harper said. “I squared it up pretty well.”
Carlos Ruiz hit a solo home run for the Phillies.
Both starters pitched well enough to earn a win.
Washington’s Gio Gonzalez allowed one run and four hits with eight strikeouts in seven innings. The lefty has no wins despite an 0.69 ERA in two starts.
Philadelphia’s Charlie Morton gave up one run and four hits, striking out six in six innings. His streak of 12 1/3 scoreless innings ended in the sixth.
Ruiz lined a shot to left to give the Phillies their first lead of the series, 1-0 in the second.
The Nationals tied it at 1-1 when Anthony Rendon hit an RBI single to right with two outs in the sixth. With runners on second and third, Harper hit a slow grounder up the middle. Shortstop Galvis made an excellent play, ranging over to his left and throwing across his body to get the hustling Harper. Washington challenged the call, but it was upheld.
Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark (1-1, 2.45 ERA) will start the opener of a four-game series at the Miami Marlins on Monday. Jose Fernandez (0-1, 5.06 ERA) is expected to start for the Marlins.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.