*Photo from NBC Sports*
Once Andrew McCutchen hit the ball, he turned to the Philadelphia Phillies dugout and started running around the bases. He knew he just won the game. Rhys Hoskins homered, McCutchen hit the game winning homer, and the Phillies defeated the Washington Nationals 6-5 in walk off fashion on Monday night.
McCutchen said "We’re a resilient club. We know what we’re capable of doing. It doesn’t matter what the score is. It doesn’t matter what inning. We know if we keep it close, we have an opportunity to win the ballgame. We never felt like we were out of it."
The Nationals put up a monster 4th inning to take the momentum early in the game. Josh Bell and Josh Harrison started it, each hitting RBI triples to put Washington up 2-0 to begin. Gerardo Parra then hit an RBI single, scoring Harrison to make it a 3-0 lead. Then, Parra scored on a single from Victor Robles, who got to second on the throw to the plate, and it was 4-0. They got one more run in the 9th to get 5 runs.
In the 6th, the Phillies got a jolt of energy. With McCutchen and Bryce Harper on base, Hoskins slammed a 3 run homer to center field, clearing the bases and cutting the deficit to 4-3, with Washington still ahead. In the 9th, now down 5-3, McCutchen delivered the walk off 3 run homer to right field, sending the Phillies home happy.
Asked about his walk off hit, McCutchen said "This was my first walk-off with the Phillies, so it definitely felt good, especially in that moment. I had an opportunity. Coming through was definitely gratifying for me. I’m always prepared and ready for a fastball. He threw it right where I could hit it."
Archie Bradley picked up the win for the Phillies, moving to 5-1 on the season, despite giving up one run in the 9th inning. Spencer Howard had a shaky start for the Phillies, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits, striking out two hitters in 3 2/3 innings, getting the no decision. In between Howard and Bradley, the Phillies saw Brandon Kintzler, Connor Brogdon, Jose Alvarado, and Hector Neris pitch.
Brad Hand blew his 5th save of the season for Washington, and got the loss, falling to 5-5 on the season. It wasted a solid start from Joe Ross, who threw 5 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits and two walks, while striking out 4 hitters. Austin Voth gave up 3 runs in 2/3 of an inning of relief. Sam Clay, Kyle Finnegan, and Daniel Hudson each picked up holds in solid appearances.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said this season has had "Tough losses. Of course, the mood is going to be a little dismal right now, just lost another tough game. Like I always tell these guys, you've got 30-45 minutes to think about the game, then let it go. We've got another game tomorrow."
The Nationals and Phillies continue their series tonight, with Matt Moore making the start for Philadelphia, and Erick Fedde getting the ball for Washington.
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