Philadelphia, PA--Tim Redding threw seven innings of one-hit baseball, Luis Ayala and Jon Rauch were perfect in their one inning each, and Ryan Zimmerman homered for the second time in three games as the Washington Nationals shut-out the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0 at Citizen's Bank Park this evening.
On a chilly, breezy night in the City of Brotherly Love Redding pitched a gem, holding the Phillies potent line-up to one hit and three walks, while striking out two, including Phils' clean-up hitter Ryan Howard. Redding threw 93 pitches--54 for strikes--but it was enough to keep the Phillies off balance all evening. Ayala and Rauch each faced three batters without incident, Rauch earning the save in his second appearance of the season.
Cole Hamels was the hard-luck loser, pitching eight strong innings of his own. He gave up five hits and two walks, striking out six. But the big hit was Ryan Zimmerman's solo home run into the right field corner in the sixth inning, which proved to be all the offense the Nats needed this night. Zimmerman added another single, and Cristian Guzman went two-for four in the lead-off spot. Willie Harris and Redding had the other two hits.
The Nationals are 3-0 for the first time since 2003 when the franchise was still in Montreal. The Phillies fall to 0-2. The two teams face each other Thursday afternoon in Philly, with Jason Bergmann facing Jamie Moyer at 1:05 pm.
NATS NOTES: Redding retired 14 batters at one point. GM Jim Bowden said there's no timetable for outfielder Elijah Dukes' return from the disabled list. The team is considering using Felipe Lopez in left field in an effort to get him some playing time. The team is also considering starting John Lannan over the weekend instead of going with a four-man rotation if Shawn Hill isn't ready to come off the disabled list.
Redding, Relievers Combine for One-Hitter also posted at DC Sports Box
Photo (c) Cheryl Nichols 2008.
Philadelphia, PA--A five-run top of the ninth inning paved the way for the Washington Nationals to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 11-6 in the Phils' home opener. The game was tied at six when Phillies Manager Charlie Manual summoned Tom Gordon to start the ninth, and the Nats' bats delivered against the temporary closer.
Lastings Milledge, who homered earlier off of Ryan Madson, started the ninth with a lead-off single. Nick Johnson doubled him home and scored on Carlos Ruiz' errant pick-off throw. Paul LoDuca and Ronnie Belliard then had back-to-back RBI doubles to chase Gordon from the game, and Dmitri Young doubled off of Clay Condrey to cap the scoring.
Nats starter Matt Chico pitched five and one-third innings, surrendering three earned runs on six hits and a walk, striking out four. He also allowed a solo home run to second baseman Chase Utley. Saul Rivera pitched a scoreless inning to earn the victory.
Cristian Guzman, Nick Johnson, Austin Kearns and Milledge all had two hit apiece, and the Nats second through seventh place hitters all drove in runs.
Jimmy Rollins, reigning National League MVP, homered against Ray King in the seventh inning to tie the game before the Nats heroics in the ninth. Phillies starter Brett Myers allowed four runs -- three earned -- and five hits in five innings. He also walked two and hit two batters. He spent most of last season as the Phillies closer, but after the acquisition of Brad Lidge was moved back into the rotation. Gordon was filling in for Lidge, who started the season on the disabled list recovering from spring knee surgery.
The Nats start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2003. They face the Phillies again Wednesday, April 1, with Tim Redding facing Cole Hamels in the second of the three-game series.
Nats Drop Phils in 'Second' Opening Day also posted at DC Sports Box
Photo Courtesy of A. Santos, DC Sports Box
