Altherr homers twice in Phillies’ 8-2 win over Nationals

Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Aaron Altherr may only be a rookie, but he certainly made a name for himself Friday night against the Washington Nationals.

And, as his career continues, the 22-year-old Nola hopes to draw on how he handles tough spots such as a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the fourth inning, which he got out of cleanly, in what would become a 2-1 loss for Philadelphia to Washington on Bryce Harper’s RBI double in the 12th on Saturday night.

The Washington Nationals look for a win after splitting their last 10 games.

His 70 wins are the most by a National since the franchise moved to Washington. (1994), Hank Aaron (’69) and Mickey Mantle (’58) as the only players to hit at least.300 with 40 or more home runs and fewer than 100 RBIs.

The Nationals are 8-2 in their last 10 during game 3 of a series and 2-6 in Gonzalezs last 8 starts. The Nats’ Stephen Strasburg was better, showing off the Number One pick that once dwelt within his arm and is allowed out on weekends, striking out 13 over eight innings, with only one run on three hits and a walk against.

He did, however, receive a warm ovation from the crowd when he walked in from the bullpen prior to the game.

Washington’s Michael A. Taylor never had a chance to make a play after his attempt at a diving catch came up empty. “I’ve been hurt in situations like that before”. “Still a bad play once I miss it”.

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.

Phillies manager Pete Mackanin was asked if he’d ever seen an inside-the-park grand slam.

“Yeah, I heard it for sure”, he said.

Altherr hit the first inside-the-park grand slam in the majors since 1999, when Tampa Bay’s Randy Winn did it, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. “But I can’t remember”. I was giving up quite a few hits. His hit scored first baseman Darin Ruf (two hits), who led off the inning with a single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Howard, who has been sidelined since September 14 with a bruised left knee, could rejoin the Phillies next week at Citizens Bank Park.

Second-year Washington manager Matt Williams was hesitant to even acknowledge his team had been eliminated from postseason contention during his postgame press conference.