Altherr Homers Twice In Phillies' 8-2 Win Over Nationals
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rookie Aaron Altherr had four hits, including an inside-the-park grand slam and a solo homer, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 8-2 Friday night in what was likely Jordan Zimmermann's home farewell.
The Nationals lost their fourth straight and trail the Mets by 8 1/2 games in the NL East. New York cut its magic number to one Friday, beating Cincinnati 12-5.
Zimmermann (13-9), who will be a free agent this offseason, exited after allowing six earned runs on six hits over five innings and suffered his first loss since Aug. 12.
Philadelphia rookie Jerad Eickhoff (2-3) won for the first time since his Aug. 21 debut, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out 10.
Altherr drove in five and capped his first four-hit game with a double in the seventh and a ninth-inning single. He legged out his grand slam when center fielder Michael Taylor whiffed diving for a sinking liner in the third.
Cody Asche had two hits, including a two-run homer, and Darin Ruf added a solo homer and a double for the Phillies, who had lost eight of nine.
Jayson Werth drove in two runs with a solo homer and a single.
Bryce Harper, hitless in his last four games, was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts.
Zimmermann's 2015 regular season home finale was less memorable than a year ago, when he tossed a no-hitter on the final day of the season.
Zimmermann's 70 wins are the most by a National since the franchise moved to Washington. He received a warm ovation from the crowd when he walked in from the bullpen prior to the game. He was pinch hit for with a man on and Washington trailing 6-1 in the fifth.
Zimmermann, who had won five straight decisions, struck out six and walked two.
The Phillies trailed 1-0 when Altherr hit a low liner to center with the bases loaded. Taylor attempted a diving catch but missed, and the ball rolled toward the center field fence.
As left fielder Werth scrambled to retrieve it, the bases cleared and Altherr raced all the way around, sliding home to complete the grand slam without a play at home.
It was the first inside-the-park grand slam since Randy Winn of Tampa Bay connected against the Yankees on Oct. 3, 1999, according to STATS.
TRAINER'S ROOM:
Nationals: Manager Matt Williams said 1B Ryan Zimmerman (oblique) continues to feel discomfort when he swings.
UP NEXT
RHP Aaron Nola (6-2, 3.84) allowed six runs in five innings in a loss to Washington on Sept. 14. He'll be opposed by RHP Stephen Strasburg (10-7, 3.81), who gave up one hit over eight innings in beating the Phillies on Sept. 15. He's allowed four runs over his last three starts while striking out 37 batters in 22 1-3 innings.
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