Rhys Hoskins’ plate discipline on display in Phillies’ 7-1 win over Nationals

Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins says it wasn’t all patience that helped him draw two walks totaling 21 pitches against Washington starter Anibal Sanchez in Sunday’s 7-1 win over the Nationals. He had a 12-pitch walk in the first inning and a nine-pitch walk in the fifth.

Hoskins entered the game leading the National League in pitches per plate appearance, 4.68, yet he said the two long walks came from some miscues as well.

“Some of it is being stubborn to a plan, being selective, but also some of it is me missing pitches I should hit,” Hoskins said.

He didn’t miss a pitch in the sixth inning, belting a two-run double off reliever Matt Grace that provided the Phillies with their final two runs.

Hoskins has collected at least one RBI in a career-long seven consecutive games.

Part of the reason Hoskins has been able to drive in runs is his discipline at the plate. Hoskins is hitting .291 with 10 home runs, 31 RBIs and a 1.056 OPS. He has drawn 24 walks, just behind Phillies co-leaders Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen, who both have 25.

The two walks Sunday contributed to an early exit for Sanchez, who left with two out in the fifth inning after 108 pitches. Sanchez departed after his second walk to Hoskins.

“We talked about the ability to wear pitchers down, that is what this whole lineup does,” Hoskins said. “You saw that today, he [Sanchez] threw 44 pitches in the first inning and only goes 4 ⅔, and with the amount their bullpen has been used the first two games, we knew we had a pretty good chance to score runs once we got in there.”

Washington’s bullpen threw nine innings over the three-game series.

As for being patient, Hoskins added, “I am not trying to lead the league in pitches and obviously I want to hit, but sometimes you have to take what the pitcher gives you.”

The Phillies are setting their standards higher.

They finished this homestand 6-3, but manager Gabe Kapler felt even more could have been achieved. The Phillies lost 3-1 decisions to Miami (in 10 innings) and Detroit and then by 10-8 on Saturday to Washington, after leading 8-5 through seven innings.

“I feel like it is a quality homestand and obviously there is a lot to be excited about, I think we could have come out of this homestand even better,” Kapler said. “No need to go back and rehash what happened. Looking ahead to St. Louis and taking on the Cardinals.”

Here are the probable pitching matchups for the three game-series in St. Louis. Monday, Vince Velasquez (1-1, 2.73 ERA) vs. Cardinals RHP Miles Mikolas (3-2, 4.73); Tuesday, Aaron Nola (2-0, 5.06) vs. RHP Dakota Hudson (2-2, 4.80); Wednesday, Jerad Eickoff (1-1, 2.05) vs. RHP Jack Flaherty (3-2, 4.17).

The Phillies are averaging 2.82 runs per game against relievers compared to 2.40 per game against starters. According to the Phillies, entering Sunday, the league average was 1.88 runs per game scored against relievers compared to 2.77 per game against starters.