Spencer Howard earns 1st win, Phillies beat Nationals 8-6

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Spencer Howard got a celebratory beer shower, wiped it off with baby powder and calmly talked about his first major league win like a guy who expects many more.

Howard threw five effective innings, Rhys Hoskins homered and drove in three runs and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 8-6 Monday night.

Juan Soto hit a pair of two-run homers and Michael Taylor and Trea Turner also went deep for the defending World Series champions, who fell to 12-20.

Howard (1-1) allowed two runs and five hits, striking out four to earn his first win in his fourth start. He got three of those Ks in the first inning.

“It was nice,” Howard said about the traditional beer shower. “Tonight was the first time I felt synched up mechanically. My goal is to get better every day.”

The Phillies are 15-15 at the midpoint of the pandemic-shortened season after winning six of seven.

They'll be counting on Howard to win important games in September as the club tries to reach the postseason for the first time since 2011.

“He used all his pitches and he was a different guy,” manager Joe Girardi said. “I hope this is a big step for him.”

Nationals starter Erick Fedde (1-3) gave up six runs and four hits in six innings.

“We’re falling behind early in a game and playing catch-up," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. "We’ve got to get some of these guys to understand the big innings kill us.”

Hoskins drove one out to left field in the first for a 1-0 lead. He has hit all six of his homers in the last 13 games, including five in the past seven.

After the Nationals closed within two, Hoskins ripped a two-run double with two outs in the seventh off Wander Suero to extend Philadelphia’s lead to 8-4.

“Our offense is really starting to...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Spencer-Howard-earns-1st-win-Phillies-beat-15528983.php