Phillies at Nationals: April 16th to April 19th

Thursday and Friday 7:05, Saturday 1:05, Sunday 1:35
Nationals Park - Washington, D.C.

Phillies 3-6, Tied for 2nd Place in the N.L. East, 3 games behind the Braves and Mets
Nationals 3-6, Tied for 2nd Place in the N.L. East, 3 games behind the Braves and Mets

Phillies Probables:  Cole Hamels (0-1, 3.75), Sean O'Sullivan (0-0, 3.00), Aaron Harang (1-1, 0.73), David Buchanan (0-2, 11.42)
Nationals Probables:  Doug Fister (0-0, 0.00), Max Scherzer (0-1, 0.66), Jordan Zimmermann (1-1, 8.64), Stephen Strasburg (0-1, 6.75)

At the Ballpark:  Taking a page from the Phillies' playbook, the Nationals will celebrate their mascot Screech's birthday on Sunday with the game officially designated as Kids Opening Day.

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Cody Asche - .500
Runs:  Ben Revere and Chase Utley - 3
Home Runs:  Jeff Francoeur and Chase Utley - 2
RBIs:  Chase Utley - 7
Stolen Bases:  Ben Revere - 2

Wins:  Three tied with - 1
ERA:  Aaron Harang - 0.73
Strikeouts:  Cole Hamels - 11
Saves:  Jonathan Papelbon - 2

1985 Topps #428

1985 Topps #578

1985 Topps Appreciation:  I recently read a terrific article on the Phillies radio broadcasting team of Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen, and I was a little surprised to realize that Andersen has now been broadcasting Phillies games since 1998.  Andersen made the permanent move to radio beginning with the 2007 season and I've been muting my TV ever since in order to listen to L.A. and Franzke call the games.

The 1998 season marked the second of Terry Francona's four long years at the helm for the Phillies.  He'd make it through the 2000 season before being dismissed and the Phils would usher in the Larry Bowa era.  Francona begin his 10-year playing career with the Expos, and 1985 would be his last season in Montreal before being released and signing with the Cubs in May 1986.