Ryan Zimmerman

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After receiving their 2009 NL Championship rings, the Phillies were unable to complete the sweep of the Washington Nationals, losing by a score of 7-5. Pitch-hitter Ryan Zimmerman gave them the lead with an 8th inning homerun.

J.A. Happ had a tough game. He walked 6 in 5 1/3 innings, and struck out none. Despite the 6 walks, Happ only allowed 1 unearned run. He just had one of those days where he missed his spots by only a few inches. When he got in jams, he showed his mental toughness and got out of them. He even induce two double plays. But, the Phillies need more innings out of Happ. As for the bullpen, well, they were solid until they put in Danys Baez. Leading 4-2, Baez would blow the lead by allowing 3 runs to score, giving up homers to 1B Adam Dunn and pitch-hitter Ryan Zimmerman. In the 9th, C Ivan Rodriguez would add 2 runs to their total, with a 2 RBI single off of RHP Ryan Madson. That would be all the Nationals needed, winning by a score of 7-5.

At the plate, 2B Chase Utley went 1-5, hitting a solo shot in the 1st off of LHP Scott Olsen. Replacement SS Juan Castro had a good game at the plate. He went 3-4, with 2 RBIs. Despite threatening in the 9th after a solo homerun by CF Shane Victorino, the Phillies were unable to regain the lead, and suffered the loss to the Nationals.


Tomorrow, the Phillies open a 3 game series with the Florida Marlins. The Phillies will send RHP Roy Halladay to the mound. He enters the game with a 0.56 ERA, and he will be looking to get his 3rd win of the season. The Marlins will counter with RHP Anibal Sanchez. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05, and the game can be seen on CSN.