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Seeking Sweep of Nats, Phillies Turn to Aaron Nola
Phillies vs. Nationals: Going for the Sweep
The Philadelphia Phillies, boasting the best record in the majors, are aiming for a three-game sweep when they host the Washington Nationals on Sunday. On Saturday, the Phillies clinched their fifth win in six games with a thrilling 4-3 victory in 10 innings.
Aaron Nola Leads the Charge
Aaron Nola (5-2, 3.10 ERA) is set to take the mound for the Phillies, facing off against Nationals right-hander Trevor Williams (4-0, 1.94 ERA). Nola is coming off an impressive performance where he secured his fourth career shutout, leading the Phillies to a 4-0 win against the Mets last Tuesday. He allowed only four hits, struck out eight, and didn’t walk a single batter, throwing 109 pitches and carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning.
“The Mets hit a couple of balls hard, but right at the guys,” Nola said. “We made some really good plays. But I felt the fastball command, the cutter command, and the curveball felt sharp today.”
Nola has a solid track record against the Nationals, with a 3.75 ERA over 30 starts. He previously defeated Washington on April 5, pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings and giving up just two hits.
Trevor Williams’ Steady Performance
Williams, in the second year of his contract, has been consistently reliable. The 32-year-old has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his eight starts this season. In his last outing, he gave up three runs (one earned) over five innings in a no-decision against the White Sox.
“The biggest thing is he’s keeping us in ballgames,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “He’s pounding the strike zone. He’s doing everything we’ve asked him to do.”
Williams has faced the Phillies 10 times, with a 2-4 record and a 5.20 ERA in those appearances.
Dramatic Victory Highlights Phillies’ Resilience
Saturday’s game showcased the Phillies’ resilience, tying the game in the ninth with Kody Clemens’ homer and then walking off the Nationals with Bryce Harper’s sacrifice fly.
“It doesn’t matter what position we’re in, how far down we are, or how much we’re up, we play 27 outs for a reason,” Harper said. “When you’re in moments like this or have opportunities like this, it just builds your team to be that much better later in the year in the postseason because you’ve been in those moments, had those opportunities throughout the year, and you capitalize on them as a team.”
Bryson Stott also homered for the Phillies, who have won 13 straight series since losing their first two of the season.
Nationals’ Late-Inning Struggles
The Nationals came into Saturday with an 18-1 record when leading after eight innings, largely thanks to closer Kyle Finnegan’s stellar work. However, Finnegan (1-3) gave up Clemens’ game-tying homer with two outs in the ninth and surrendered the winning run in the 10th.
“We played a great game. We deserved to win. It’s my job to go in there and continue what we had already accomplished and get three outs,” Finnegan said. “It hurts. I’m motivated to get back out there as soon as possible.”
Key Statistics and Matchup Insight
The Nationals managed to score three runs on Saturday after totaling just two in their previous three games. However, they struggled with runners in scoring position, going 2-for-14. These offensive issues highlight the challenge they face against Nola, who has been in dominant form recently.
Conclusion
The series finale between the Phillies and Nationals is set to be an exciting matchup. Aaron Nola looks to continue his stellar performance and lead the Phillies to a sweep, while the Nationals aim to rebound from their recent struggles and avoid a series loss. Fans can expect a thrilling game as both teams push for victory.
