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Griffin's 7 1/3 -Inning Gem Leads Nats 4-1 Win

6/23/2026

23 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

After a rain delay, left-hander Foster Griffin threw 7 1/3 innings, allowed one run, struck out nine with no walks, extending his streak to five starts with one earned run or fewer as the Nationals beat the Phillies 4–1.
The Phillies have allowed 15 earned runs in 101 innings to left-handed pitchers (1.25 ERA, .466 OPS).
Curtis Mead and Luis Garcia Jr. homered and others logged a double and a single.

History

Historical Context

Steve Carlton’s 1972 season, when his 27-win, 1.97 ERA campaign earned the NL Cy Young on a last-place Phillies, showed how a dominant left-hander could swing a series. That precedent resurfaces today as Washington’s left-hander Foster Griffin delivered seven strong innings with nine strikeouts to beat the Phillies, reinforcing teams’ renewed focus on left-handed starters and specialized bullpens.

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Story summary

After a rain delay, left-hander Foster Griffin threw 7 1/3 innings, allowed one run, struck out nine with no walks, extending his streak to five starts with one earned run or fewer as the Nationals beat the Phillies 4–1.
The Phillies have allowed 15 earned runs in 101 innings to left-handed pitchers (1.25 ERA, .466 OPS).
Curtis Mead and Luis Garcia Jr. homered and others logged a double and a single.

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