A.J. Cole held the Philadelphia Phillies to one run on six hits in 5 2⁄3 innings pitched in Citizens Bank Park, and a two-run home run by Washington’s center fielder Michael A. Taylor provided all the offense the Nationals needed in a series opening 3-1 win.
Cole, in three appearances against the Phillies this year (two as a starter, one in relief), has given up just two runs on 13 hits hits in 13 2⁄3 IP (1.32 ERA). The only run he allowed to the home team tonight came on a two-out, 0-2 fastball up in the zone to Philly center fielder Odubel Herrera, who hit it out to right on a line in the fourth.