Photo by Kevin Nibley for TalkNats
In this game, Erick Fedde did his job, and his defense did not help him, and his manager sent him out for the 7th inning with a 97-pitch count. Instead of Fedde handing the ball to the bullpen in the 7th inning with a 2-to-2 tie, Fedde gave up a lead-off double who scored on a sacrifice fly and Fedde’s day ended with a loss on his record. That 3-to-2 Phillies lead grew to 5-to-2 when Kelvin Herrera gave up 2 runs, and the only life the rest of the game came from an Anthony Rendon home run to finish the box score at a 5-to-3 loss.
The energy level is low, and while guys are dealing with aches, pains, and some sickness, it is taking its toll on the final scores. Hitting is contagious and so is losing.
“I repeat myself everyday, it was about the little things,” manager Dave Martinez said. “Not knocking down balls. Throws to the plate.”
Maybe the only good news is that the most of the bullpen, with the exception of Justin Miller, should be available tomorrow night as only Ryan Madson, Kelvin Herrera and Shawn Kelley were used.
Besides the home run and two doubles given up, the Phillies hit no other balls hard, and their hits were grounders that found holes. The Nationals could not make the big hits besides Daniel Murphy‘s 2 RBI groundball single. Otherwise the Nats were 1-for-4 in RISP spots with only 6-hits on the day. Adam Eaton was 0-for-4 in the lead-off with 3 strikeouts and just was not seeing the ball well. An honorable mention to Spencer Kieboom who was 1-for-2 with a walk.
“Fedde was really good,” manager Dave Martinez said. “He’s gaining confidence every time out there.”
Erick Fedde deserved better and other Nats pitchers can commiserate that unless you throw a shutout there is no guarantee on the W/L.
Where is the media for the Post-game media session?
