Sometimes BABIP works for you, and A.J. Cole had a combination of some good pitches mixed with some lucky BABIP and great defense behind him to go with six runs of support en route to a win. Cole gave up only 1 run over 6 innings, and this gives him a start to build off of. Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon both homered to power the win. This week it will probably be Anthony Rendon who wins Player of the Week honors.
The defense turned some great plays, and the Phillies ran into 2 outs on the bases to help out, and the Phillies cost themselves a run on batter’s interference in the 1st inning on a steal attempt.
Oliver Perez and Jacob Turner closed out the game covering the last 3 inning in relief to save the bullpen.
The Nationals improved to 21-9 on the season which is 12 games over .500 and the best in the Majors. The Nationals winning streak extends to four games with this win tonight, and the best 30-game record in Nationals history.
“Hitting is contagious and confidence is the same way,” Ryan Zimmerman said. “If you look up and down this line-up, it’s fun to be part of this offense. We’re all having great at-bats. We all like working together.”
With Zimmerman’s home run today, he has now tallied 13 dingers which ties him for 1st in the Majors, and Zimmerman now leads/tied for each of the triple crown categories: 13 HR, 34 RBIs, .435 Batting Average.