Keep it there, guys.
The Phillies had a sensation in the sixth inning on Thursday afternoon at Nationals Park. Of course, they dragged the nationals by six runs, but they had also scored seven or more runs in each of their previous six games. They played well, so they saw no reason not to be able to score seven runs again.
“We’re going to score at least seven,” left-back Andrew McCutchen recalled during the 7-6 return victory in Philadelphia. “Will happen”.
The comments caused some laughter and laughter at the Phillies shelter.
Philadelphia scored three runs in the sixth inning and four in the eighth to win their sixth straight game and advance to 1 1/2 games of the Braves in the Eastern National League with 29 games to play. The Phils have scored seven or more runs in seven consecutive games for the first time since the seven-game streak from June 19 to 24, 1933. (The franchise record is a streak of eight games from September 18 to 22, 1903. .)
The comeback was the Phillies ’seventh this season against Washington when they went out for three or more runs. This set a current record, according to STATS. Six teams previously had six comeback victories of at least three races against an opponent: the 1912 Red Sox (against the A), the 1922 Giants (against the Cardinals), the 1930 Pirates (against the Puppies), the 1939’s (against the Browns), the 1950 Tigers (against the A’s) and the 2018 Nationals (against the Phillies).
“We knew we had a chance,” McCutchen said. “We had this opportunity. We were able to get to the situations we needed. A couple of setbacks, some tough plays in the end, we were able to get these races and get seven of them. Just when we were thirsty, he would say to me, “Okay, let’s get a couple more.” But yes, it was something we talked about. “
McCutchen’s field loaded the bases from double to center left with an outside in the sixth scoring three runs. His single in the center in the eighth scored another to take the Phillies in two. Philadelphia reloaded the bases, setting up Nick Maton’s ground ball to second baseman Luis Garcia. Maton hit the ball hard, but it should have been thrown into the field and potentially turn it into a double end-of-entry play. Instead, he jumped off Garcia’s glove and shot himself into the right field.
Two runs scored to tie the game.
Then Odúbel Herrera hit another ball against Garcia, who hesitated to consider throwing at home. It was costly because after throwing in the second, it was too late to play another double end-of-entry play again.
Rafael Marchan scored to put the Phillies in the lead.
“When things start to fall apart and we start scoring a few runs and we start to see it, someone talks about it, or introduces us to what we have of seven runs, the next thing you know, it’s one thing,” McCutchen said.
Right-hander Aaron Nola struggled, putting the Phillies in the 6-0 hole. He allowed six runs in four more innings.
Nola’s curved ball missed him on Thursday, something that almost never happens. He allowed a solo run to Lane Thomas with a 3-2 curve ball with two outs in the third. Two batters later, Juan Soto hit a two-run homer on a 0-1 curve ball to give the Nationals a 3-0 lead.
It was the first time in Nola’s career that he allowed two homers in a game on his corner. This season he was unable to destroy a batsman on his curve ball for the third time.
“It wasn’t sharp,” Nola said. “It simply came to my notice then. I’m sure they could see it. “
Nola is 0-1 with an ERA of 5.06 in seven starts since he got his last win on July 25th. He has thrown more than 5 1/3 entries just twice in this stretch. He is 7-13 years old with an ERA of 4.52 in 28 starts of his career in September / October. He is 58-35 years old with an effectiveness of 3.46 in 138 starts every two months.
“I’m hearing this from different angles about September,” Nola said. “Honestly, I’m very tired of it.”
This month has five more starts to change the narrative. For the first time since he was with the Phillies, they enter the month playing well.
“Wow, if you don’t feel the urge after what they just did, I don’t know what to tell you,” he said.
From a predicted comeback victory to a real comeback victory. What’s in store for the rest of the season for the Phillies?
“In the world we want it to be, we will be in the first place and we will be raising that flag and winning the division,” McCutchen said. “It’s an exciting month. This is what baseball is all about. I’m looking forward to it. “