Photo by Marlene Koenig for TalkNats
The Nationals have the rare opportunity to sweep back-to-back doubleheaders as they have a modest 3-game win streak going with a chance for a win tonight in the nightcap of this doubleheader to move back over the .500 mark. In the afternoon first half of this doubleheader, Erick Fedde threw a 2-hit shutout over 5 2/3 innings with 9 strikeouts. The Nationals won the game 3-1 to move to .500.
In this evening’s game, Tanner Roark is on the mound for the Nats and Jake Arrieta on extra rest is set to pitch for the Phillies. For those keeping track, Juan Soto‘s last home run was on August 29th off of Arrieta in Philadelphia.
Manager Dave Martinez used the top arms in his bullpen to secure this win in the first game of the twin-bill which could put some stress on the bullpen for the evening game. If Roark is able to go deep in the game, DMart could turn to Wander Suero and Matt Grace among others.
“Attacking the strike zone — kept the ball down,” Martinez said about Fedde. “He was really really good.”
Nationals PR department had this stat, “With 9 SO today Erick Fedde joins this list of rookies with at least 9 SO in a game in Nats history (2005-pres.): Stephen Strasburg (14, 10, 9) John Lannan (14) Reynaldo Lopez (11, 9) Joe Ross (11) Shairon Martis (9) Garrett Mock (9).”
Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium: Citizen’s Bank Ballpark, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1st Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN; MLB App out-of-market
Nats Radio: 106.7 The Fan and via the MLB app
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
- Adam Eaton RF
- Trea Turner SS
- Bryce Harper CF
- Anthony Rendon 3B
- Juan Soto LF
- Mark Reynolds 1B
- Matt Wieters C
- Adrian Sanchez 2B
- Tanner Roark RHP
