Hello Darkness, My Old Friend: Nationals 6, Phillies 2

Throughout the course of a season, each of the 30 Major League Baseball teams plays 162 games. For the folks at home doing the math, that is a total of 2,430 games. Most of a team’s games are played against their four division rivals, who meet 19 times each.

The Philadelphia Phillies just got done finishing up their eighth game against the Washington Nationals. They’ll play one more tomorrow, followed by a small break before they play each other again next weekend. That’ll be 12 of 19 games in the first month and a half of the season.

Considering how good this Nationals team is (they currently hold the best record in baseball), these games generally haven’t been fun for the Phillies. The good news is that after May 14th, we don’t have to play them again until September.

Oh yeah, the Phillies lost. I guess I forgot to mention that. I feel like it might be an important thing to mention in a recap.

Vince Velasquez looked pretty good at the start of the game. He got through the first 5 innings only giving up two runs. Nationals Starter AJ Cole looked a bit shakier, but the Phillies offense was unable to capitalize on that. The Nats, however, broke the game open in the 6th when they scored four runs on two Singles, a Double and a Home Run.

Anyway... enough about that. Look at this great catch by Odubel Herrera:

Speaking of great defensive plays, Cesar Hernandez fielded a really tricky ball! That was fun!

On the offensive side of things, Cameron Rupp, of all people, was easily the Phillies’ player of the game. He’s responsible for both of the Phillies’ runs, having singled in the 2nd to score Freddy Galvis and homered in the 7th.

Speaking of Cameron Rupp, this video exists. Watch it, and let it cleanse you of the pain that this shitty game inflicted upon you.

We may have our very own Justin Klugh to thank for Cameron’s offensive outburst tonight. Thanks, Justin!

The Phillies attempt to snap their five game losing streak and avoid a sweep tomorrow.