Hernandez Has Go-Ahead Hit For Phillies In Win Over Nationals
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Freddy Galvis could be the leader the Philadelphia Phillies are looking for in their lineup.
Galvis had three hits and an RBI, and Cesar Hernandez had a go-ahead, two-run single in a wild four-run seventh, leading Philadelphia to a 4-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night.
"When he just calms down and doesn't try to do too much with the bat, that's when he can be a quality hitter," Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg said. "That's what he's worked on all spring."
Sandberg preached contact during the spring to Galvis, who is using a larger bat to cut down on his swing. A career .218 hitter entering the season, he is 5 for 13 through four games.
"I feel good and my approach is much better," Galvis said. "If I keep working, everything is going to be alright."
Michael Taylor homered for the Nationals, the preseason favorites in the NL East who have lost three of four to open the year while scoring just seven runs.
Jonathon Papelbon, two days after saying he doesn't "feel much like a Phillie," pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save in as many chances. Papelbon is five saves away from becoming Philadelphia's all-time saves leader.
Chase Utley added an RBI for the Phillies, who were helped by a pair of walks and two hit batters in their rally.
"We took what they gave us," Sandberg said.
Luis Garcia (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh inning in relief of Jerome Williams. Williams settled down after allowing Taylor's leadoff homer to yield one run and five hits with six strikeouts and a walk in six innings.
"It felt good to get back to where it needed to be, down in the zone — except for the homer," Williams said.
Washington's Gio Gonzalez (0-1) gave up three runs on five hits in 6 1-3 innings with four strikeouts and four walks. It was a disappointing debut for Gonzalez, whose 3.57 ERA last year was his worst since 2009.
He missed a month due to a left shoulder injury but was feeling good entering this season and pitched well in spring training.
Gonzalez breezed into the seventh, getting Jeff Francoeur to fly out to open the inning before everything unraveled.
Manager Matt Williams visited the lefty after consecutive walks put runners on first and second but left him in. Gonzalez was chased after he hit Andres Blanco to load the bases.
"I was trying to be too perfect," Gonzalez said.
Hernandez drilled Xavier Cedeno's first pitch into right field for two runs, with slow-footed Cameron Rupp sliding home after Bryce Harper's throw from right field went slightly up the third-base line. Cedeno was lifted after hitting Ben Revere. Galvis singled in a run, and Utley had a sacrifice fly.
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