Thursday, August 18, 2005

MLB: Philadelphia Phillies 2, Nationals 1 (August 18, Game 1)

WP: Vincente Padilla (6-11)
LP: Tony Armas Jr. (7-6)
S: Billy Wagner (29)

WAS: 63-57 (3rd in NL East, 6 behind Atlanta, 1.5 behind Philadelphia, 0.5 ahead of Florida, 1.5 ahead of New York; 1.5 behind Philadelphia for Wild Card)

Tony Armas Jr. worked out of numerous jams, but a two-run double by Bobby Abreu in the second inning was all the Phillies needed, as the Nationals bats couldn't get anything going against Vincente Padilla or the Phillies bullpen. The Phillies won, 2-1.

The Nats got one run in the second on a Cristian Guzman RBI single, but they would not score for the rest of the game.

Armas went five innings, giving up five hits and walking six, but only giving up two runs in the loss.

Game two is at 7:05 p.m., with Ryan Drese (3-6, 4.69 ERA, throws right) facing Cory Lidle (9-10, 4.61 ERA, throws right).

THOUGHTS:
The Nationals have to find some offense. A 2-1 loss to a guy who has had a rough season is not what the team needed, especially knowing that they are sending Ryan Drese and his 0-5 record/6.93 ERA over the last five games to the mound tonight.

Luckily, the Phillies are sending Cory Lidle, who has been hoooorrrrible lately, going 1-4 in his last six starts and posting an 8.31 ERA. Maybe that spells good news for the Nats bats. They need it.

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