Phillies lose to Nationals, 7-6, in home opener
Freddy Galvis and Aaroon Altherr sparked a six-run rally that fell short, and the Phils fell to 1-3.
The majority of fans who filled Citizens Bank Park for Friday afternoon's home opener had already checked out by the time the Phillies offense arrived.
The Phillies scored six runs in the final four innings to mount a comeback that fell just short as they lost to the Washington Nationals, 7-6.
Freddy Galvis hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to cut Washington's lead - once 7-0 - to just one run. But that proved to be the end of the offense.
All but one of the Phillies runs came after they chased Max Scherzer with two outs in the seventh inning. The righthander struck out seven batters and allowed just four hits and two earned runs, one of which scored after he was removed following his 98th pitch.
Only the Phillies first three batters - Cesar Hernandez, Howie Kendrick, and Odubel Herrera - had hits off Scherzer. The Phillies offense was helpless against Scherzer but was able to mount a threat against the Nationals bullpen.
Galvis greeted Scherzer's exit by ripping an RBI double off Sammy Solis. Aaron Altherr followed with a two-run homer to cut Washington's lead to three.
The Phillies threatened again in the eighth inning, getting two runners with no outs. But Maikel Franco popped up. Daniel Nava crushed a ball, but it was knocked down by the wind for a flyout, and Tommy Joseph popped out on the first pitch.
Joseph, who walked in the seventh inning to reach base for the first time this season, has started the year 0 for 13 with six strikeouts.
The early offensive struggles were matched by starter Vince Velasquez, who began the year with an outing that embodied his 2016 season. The pitcher struck out 10 batters but lasted just four innings. Too often, Velasquez pitches with promise but throws too many pitches.
He threw 94 pitches on Friday and allowed four runs that scored on a pair of two-run homers. Velasquez was removed after ending the fourth with consecutive strikeouts. The righthander is the first pitcher in Phillies history to record 10 strikeouts and not reach the fifth inning.
Joely Rodriguez, who made the team out of spring training with the hope he could provide multiple innings in relief, did not bail out Velasquez. Rodriguez allowed three runs on five hits in two innings. Jayson Werth tagged him for a three-run homer, giving Washington a seven-run lead and ensuring that the Phillies' late rally would not be enough.
@matt_breen www.philly.com/philliesblog