Phillies Win Nailbiter Over Nats, Head Into Midpoint a Shocking 44-37

BOX SCORE 

On the final day of June, the Phillies won a baseball game.

Through all the bullpen meltdowns, double-digit deficits and strikeout-prone nights, the Phillies went 13-14 in June, a month filled with challenges and playoff-caliber competition.

They lost Vince Velasquez early Saturday afternoon but got strong bullpen work from Victor Arano (two scoreless innings), Tommy Hunter (two innings), Adam Morgan, Yacksel Rios and Seranthony Dominguez in a 3-2 win over the Nationals.

Rios was especially clutch, retiring Anthony Rendon, Juan Soto and Mark Reynolds in order with nobody out and two men on base in the eighth inning of a one-run game.

The Phils can take three of four from the Nationals tomorrow afternoon, or at worst, split the series. They've played well against the Nationals this last week, winning four of six games. And this is with Rendon red-hot and the Nats getting healthier with Adam Eaton and Daniel Murphy back.

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It's the official midpoint of the season and the Phillies are 44-37. Last season, all eight teams that were 44-37 or better at the midpoint made the playoffs.

Vinny exits early

Vince Velasquez lasted only two innings because of a 96 mph line drive hit directly off his right forearm/elbow. Velasquez had the presence of mind to finish the play with a left-handed rocket to first base to retire Nats speedster Adam Eaton.

Video and some more details here on one of the best defensive plays you'll see a pitcher make.

Odubel's crazy month

Odubel Herrera started the scoring for the Phillies with a no-doubt solo shot to right field in the third inning. Man, does Herrera hit some majestic home runs.

It ended an 0-for-21 skid and was Herrera's 14th homer of the season, matching his total from last season. With 81 games to go, Herrera is one home run shy of tying his career high.

Here's an example of how incredibly streaky Herrera is: He had two separate 0-for-21 stints in the month of June alone, yet somehow hit .236 in the month with seven homers, 11 total extra-base hits, 14 RBI and 17 runs scored.

A feast or famine player if there ever was one.

Valentin's big day

Rookie Jesmuel Valentin tripled and doubled in his first two at-bats. He was stranded the first time but scored the second time when Jorge Alfaro and a pinch-hitting Aaron Altherr followed with doubles of their own.

Valentin is the first Phillie to have a game with a triple and a double this early in his career since Altherr in September 2015 and only the fourth since 1997.

The rookie infielder had been 0 for 13 dating back to June 14.

One-run wins

The Phillies are 16-7 in one-run games, which is the best record in the National League and second-best in the majors to the Mariners (25-11).

Sellout

A sellout crowd of 42,746 at Citizens Bank Park took in the game on fireworks night. An impressive crowd - aside from the midgame wave.

CBP averaged right around 43,000 when the Yankees were in town earlier this week.

Up next

The Phillies and Nationals play the finale of their four-game series Sunday afternoon at 1:35. 

It's Jake Arrieta (5-6, 3.54) vs. lefty Gio Gonzalez (6-5, 3.86).

Both pitchers are seeking bounce-back starts. Arrieta had a 6.66 ERA in June - his highest in any month in five years. Gonzalez allowed six runs and eight baserunners while throwing 62 pitches in just one inning Monday in Tampa.

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