Washington used timely hitting to score their runs and coupled it with good pitching to hold the Phillie offense in check to earn a win in the final game of the three game series.   Anderson Hernandez had three hits for the Nationals and Elijah Dukes contributed two.   Hernandez drove in two of the four National runs.

Brett Myers threw six innings in this start for the Fightins and gave up three runs on eight hits.  Jack Taschner gave up the fourth run in his one inning of relief.    The Phillies were limited to six hits, one a solo home run by Shane Victorino.  Ryan Howard had two hits in the game. 

Julian Tavares earned his first save since 2006 for the Nationals as he pitched a scoreless ninth.  He used a little Luis Tiant type of pitching motion during the appearance !  Tavares is another of those very excitable latin players who wears his emotions loudly on his sleeves for all to see, not a bad thing if they are on your team but annoying otherwise!

The team is off tommorrow before starting a three game series at home vs those New York Mets.

Chatter

Brad Lidge was unavailable again due to knee inflamation.  He will have it reexamined tommorrow and a determination will be made if he needs to go on the disabled list.  Carlos Ruiz will report back to Lehigh Valley to resume his rehab stint.  Ruiz will catch the next Iron Pigs game.  

I have a book signing this Saturday at Batley’s Grille in West Chester, (formerly Stadium Grille), from 3 pm to 8 pm.  The Phillies/Mets game starts at 3:40 pm and will be on display on the multiple TV monitors at the restuarant.  Come out and buy an autographed copy of ” 2008 Philadelphia Phillies – A Poetic Season” and let’s chat a little baseball while hopefully the Fightin’s smack those Mets around!

Ryan Freel is apparently unhappy in Baltimore, what do you think about the Fightin’s picking him up as a bench player ?  I have always liked his game and versatility.