Writer: Brandon Apter

Hamels, Phillies Look to Complete Sweep of Nationals

Brandon Apter Sports Editor

Published07 Sep 2014

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After securing their fourth series win in the last five, the Phillies (66-75) will now be searching for their sixth straight win against the NL East leading Nationals (79-61) today at 1:35 in DC. Last night, the Phils capitalized on a strong start from AJ Burnett and a two-run single from Ryan Howard. Dom Brown added a solo homer of his own, contributing to the 3-1 win for the good guys. Today the Phils and Nats will send lefties to the hill in the finale, as Washington looks to salvage one game from the Phils at home. Cole Hamels will look to continue his dominant season against former Phillies prospect, Gio Gonzalez.

Last time on the mound, Cole Hamels (8-6, 2.50) didn't have his best stuff, but he was still un-hittable. He was one of four pitchers who combined to throw a no-hitter against the Braves. Hamels' tossed six innings, walked five and struck out seven. He threw 106 pitches and unlike the last time he was pulled from the game, Cole understood why he didn't get to go out in the seventh in the southern heat. Cole faced Washington twice last month. On August 3rd he took the hard luck loss, giving up one unearned run in a 1-0 Nationals win. On the 26th in Philadelphia, Hamels gave up three runs in seven innings and took the no-decision in a 4-3 Phils win. Hamels owns a 2.58 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP in 31 career starts against Washington.

Meanwhile, the Nats look to lefty Gio Gonzalez (7-9, 3.89) to try and get back on track against the Phils. He has already faced the Phillies three times this season with a 4.76 ERA with his best outing coming back on May 4th when he held them to one run in 7.1 innings of work. Over his last two starts, Gonzalez has given up six earned runs in 12 innings, one resutlting in a loss to the Phils and one as a victory against the Dodgers. He is 5-4 with a 3.19 ERA in his career against the Phils in 11 games started.

Game Notes:

Hamels won't have his usual infield behind him today, as Galvis, Ruf, Franco and others find themselves in the lineup today.
Although he went 0-for-4 on Saturday, Ben Revere entered the game leading the NL in batting with a .316 mark. His .314 average now trails Pittsburgh's Josh Harrison (.315), but leads San Francisco's Buster Posey (.310) and Colorado's Justin Morneau (.309).
After blowing the game on Friday night, the Nationals have said Rafael Soriano is no longer their closer, though they haven't named a replacement.

Lineups:

Phillies Lineup: