Eickhoff struck out a career-high 10, including MVP candidate Bryce Harper three times.
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Aaron Altherr slowed as he neared first base, nearly stopping as he watched his hit fall to shallow center field on Friday night in the third inning of an 8-2 win over the Washington Nationals.
After the Phillies took the series opener, leaving the Nationals one loss or one more New York Mets’ win from elimination from postseason contention, both Williams and Zimmermann were asked for their thoughts on how what could be the right-hander’s final start in D.C.as a National ended. Zimmermann is an impending free agent, so this isn’t what he had in mind for what could be his final home start as a member of the Nationals.
Said Eickhoff: “I was just fortunate enough to get some pitches in the right location and force them to swing the bat a little bit”.
Two innings later, Altherr would continue his big night with a solo home run.
More than a lack of closure or missing out on a show of appreciation, Zimmermann said he was just disappointed with the results he got in what might be his last start as part of the Nationals’ rotation. He was pinch hit for with a man on and Washington trailing 6-1 in the fifth. It was the 14th inside-the-park grand slam in Phillies history and first since Ted Kazanski in 1956.
“In that situation, you better catch the ball, and I wouldn’t have gone for it if I didn’t think I could”, Taylor said.
“I’m sure I have over 47 years, ” he said. “But I can’t remember. I hit into a triple play once”, Mackanin quipped.
According to FOX Sports on Twitter, the last one belonged to Randy Winn then of the New York Yankees.
Jimmy Rollins hit the Phillies last inside-the-park homer on July 31, 2012, also at Nationals Park. He’ll be opposed by RHP Stephen Strasburg (10-7, 3.81), who gave up one hit over eight innings in beating the Phillies on September 15.
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The Phillies are 7-3 in their last 10 Saturday games and 0-4 in their last 4 during game 2 of a series.
