Nationals at Phillies
Cole Hamels publicly admitted that he intentionally threw at rookie Bryce Harper during their last meeting. Wednesday night, the Philadelphia Phillies left-hander may have to face the music himself when he takes the mound against Harper and the Washington Nationals in the finale of a three-game series.
Harper was instrumental in leading Washington to its 13th win in 16 meetings against its NL East rival. The 19-year-old ripped a two-run triple to highlight a four-run third inning as the Nationals breezed to a 5-2 triumph on Tuesday. The victory was Washington's franchise-best sixth straight in the City of Brotherly Love, while the loss was Philadelphia's season-worst four straight.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN2, CSN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Edwin Jackson (1-1, 3.31 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cole Hamels (6-1, 2.48 ERA)
Jackson has pitched well in his last five starts but does not have a decision to show for it. The 28-year-old permitted one run on five hits and struck out eight in as many innings, but was a bystander when Baltimore scratched for a 2-1 win on Friday. Jackson didn't fare well in his lone outing versus Philadelphia, yielding five runs on eight hits in five innings to take the loss.
Hamels has been downright brilliant since his first start of the season, registering six wins while working at least six innings in seven starts. The 28-year-old allowed one run and struck out eight in as many innings in a 9-3 triumph over the Nationals on May 6. The one run he allowed came courtesy of Harper, who stole home on the play. Hamels improved to 11-4 with a slim 1.08 WHIP in his career versus the Nationals. He struck out nine over seven innings in a 6-4 win over Boston on Friday.
WALK-OFFS
1. Davey Johnson's closer-by-committee approach was successful on its first day as Tyler Clippard worked a scoreless ninth on Tuesday. Henry Rodriguez was dropped from that spot after he converted only nine of 12 save opportunities.
2. Ian Desmond belted his fourth homer in seven games on Tuesday. Desmond has struggled versus Hamels, however, going 5-for-21 with seven strikeouts.
3. Phillies right-hander Vance Worley will not need Tommy John surgery after a consultation with Dr. James Andrews. Worley may need surgery after the season to deal with a bone chip to go along with his right elbow inflammation.