Laynce Nix Almost Single-Handedly Beats Phillies
By: Mike Reisman
Sometimes, you just have one of those days when you see the ball well, you swing well, and everything just goes well for you. It happened to Jason Giambi against the Phillies earlier this month, going 3-5 with three home runs and seven RBIs. Although Laynce Nix didn't do quite that well today, he made big plays when it counted, ultimately sinking the Phillies.
Roy Oswalt got the start on this 90 degree day, and though he pitched well, he was unable to keep the Nationals off the board, allowing Jayson Werth to single home a run in the 1st inning, giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead. The Phillies would tie the game the next inning when Ryan Howard scored on a throwing error by Alex Cora. However, in the 3rd, Nationals' hero Laynce Nix would hit a solo home run to give the Nationals the lead 2-1.
The Phillies would have a very good opportunity in the 6th inning when Domonic Brown came in to pinch-hit with the bases loaded and two outs. He was able to drive a pitch into the gap in left-center field, almost a guaranteed extra-base-hit, but Nix saved the game for the Nats, fully extending (
and I mean fully) and making an amazing play.
The game would end 2-1, and Roy Oswalt would get his third loss, though pitching well.
This game marks the first time since last July that the Phillies lost a series in Washington. Though the Phillies didn't play awfully this series, they need to start hitting again, as they scored only four runs in the last two games. It looked as though they had found their bats against the Mets, however, now the runs seem to be gone again. The Phillies will play the Pirates next, and though they are an improved team, the Phillies should, and need to be able to score on them.
Though the offense was the main problem, another problem that the Phillies had was the performance of Roy Oswalt. He pitched well during his time on the mound, however, he was only able to complete five innings, a problem for someone who is expected to go at least seven innings a game. Though he is no Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee, five innings is unacceptable for the third starter in the Phillies fantastic rotation.
The Phillies have the day off tomorrow, but return on Friday at 7:05 to play the Pirates in Pittsburgh.