Major League Baseball

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

Published Sep. 25, 2015 9:44 p.m. ET

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WASHINGTON (AP) Friday night likely marked the home farewell for Washington Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann. He was frank about how it ended.

The right-hander was lifted for a pinch hitter in the fifth inning after allowing six runs in Friday night's 8-2 loss to the Phillies, denying the Nationals Park crowd a final chance to show him their appreciation.

''I would have pulled me there to,'' Zimmermann said.

Philadelphia rookie Aaron Altherr had four hits, including an inside-the-park grand slam and a solo homer.

The Nationals have lost four straight and trail the Mets by 8 1/2 games in the NL East. New York cut its magic number to one Friday, beating Cincinnati 12-5.

Zimmermann (13-9), who will be a free agent this offseason, suffered his first loss since Aug. 12 while striking out six and walking two.

His 70 wins are the most by a National since the franchise moved to Washington.

''Feel like I took the ball every time they asked, did what I could,'' he said of his career in Washington. ''Some days I didn't have it, some days I was good.

''I'm not saying this is my last start. You don't know what's going to happen this offseason, so we'll see.''

Zimmermann's 2015 regular season home finale was less memorable than a year ago, when he tossed a no-hitter on the final day of the season.

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

''It was awesome,'' he said. ''It means a lot to me, and I just wish I could have gave them something a little better than that.''

Philadelphia rookie Jerad Eickhoff (2-3) won for the first time since his Aug. 21 debut, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out 10.

Altherr drove in five and capped his first four-hit game with a double in the seventh and a ninth-inning single. He legged out his grand slam when center fielder Michael Taylor whiffed diving for a sinking liner in the third.

Cody Asche had two hits, including a two-run homer, and Darin Ruf added a solo homer and a double for the Phillies, who had lost eight of nine.

Bryce Harper, hitless in his last four games, was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts.

The Phillies trailed 1-0 when Altherr hit a low liner to center with the bases loaded. Taylor attempted a diving catch but missed, and the ball rolled toward the center field fence.

''In that situation, you better catch the ball, and I wouldn't have gone for it if I didn't think I could,'' Taylor said. ''Still a bad play once I miss it.''

As left fielder Jayson Werth retrieved the ball, the bases cleared and Altherr raced all the way around, sliding home to complete the grand slam.

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

''I'm sure I have over 47 years,'' he said. ''But I can't remember. I hit into a triple play once.''

It was the first inside-the-park grand slam since Randy Winn of Tampa Bay connected against the Yankees on Oct. 3, 1999, according to STATS.

INSIDE FACTS

Jimmy Rollins hit the Phillies last inside-the-park homer on July 31, 2012, also at Nationals Park. Ted Kazanski hit their last inside-the-park grand slam on Aug. 8, 1956 vs. the Giants at the Polo Grounds, according to STATS.

REMEMBER ME?

Werth (homer, single, two RBIs) snapped an 0-for-15 skid. He's hit five homers this season - all in the month of September - against his former team.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Phillies: 1B Ryan Howard (knee) took batting practice Friday.

Nationals: Manager Matt Williams said 1B Ryan Zimmerman (oblique) continues to feel discomfort when he swings.

UP NEXT

RHP Aaron Nola (6-2, 3.84) allowed six runs in five innings in a loss to Washington on Sept. 14. He'll be opposed by RHP Stephen Strasburg (10-7, 3.81), who gave up one hit over eight innings in beating the Phillies on Sept. 15. He's allowed four runs over his last three starts while striking out 37 batters in 22 1-3 innings.

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