Behind versatile Miles Mikolas, Nationals seek split vs. Phillies

Miles Mikolas will go from the batter's box to the pitcher's mound Thursday as the Washington Nationals conclude their four-game road series with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Mikolas came off the bench in extra innings Wednesday after Washington had forfeited its designated hitter earlier in the game. The veteran right-hander laid down a suicide squeeze as part of a six-run 11th inning in the Nationals' 10-4 victory over the Phillies.

Now Mikolas (3-8, 5.67 ERA) will return to his day job as a starting pitcher, and he'll hope to guide Washington to a second straight win after the team snapped a seven-game skid with Wednesday's triumph.

"I'm just a real old-school ballplayer. Get a bunt down, run some bases, pitch a little bit. I can do it all," quipped Mikolas, who added that he's "absolutely" ready for Thursday's start.

Mikolas has not earned a win since July 6. He gave up four runs and nine hits in six innings in his last outing, absorbing the loss in an 8-3 setback against the host Atlanta Braves. Three of the hits allowed by Mikolas were home runs.

"Just being a little sharper," he said. "It's the major leagues. You can't make mistakes."

Mikolas is 2-5 with a 4.14 ERA in 11 career appearances (nine starts) against the Phillies. In his only appearance against Philadelphia this year, the veteran right-hander allowed two unearned runs in 3 1/3 innings of relief of a 5-4 home loss on June 24.

In this one, Mikolas will face a Philadelphia team that managed only five hits -- including four singles -- in Wednesday's defeat. Luis Arraez's first home run as a member of the Phillies highlighted a quiet offensive night for the hosts.

"They'll be fine," Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said. "We had chances, didn't get hits when we needed them. ... Guys are really good at turning the page. We just have to be ready to play (Thursday)."

Cristopher Sanchez (14-4, 2.61) will take the ball for Philadelphia following an up-and-down start against the Baltimore Orioles. He gave up just two hits over six scoreless innings in that one and struck out 11 but also walked a season-high five batters.

"Not weird, not rare," Sanchez said of his unconventional effort. "Just an excellent outing. We won."

Sanchez has started twice against the Nationals this season, posting a 5.23 ERA without a decision. For his career, the All-Star left-hander is 3-2 with a 4.03 ERA in 13 appearances (10 starts) versus Washington.

Mattingly hopes Sanchez can give the Phillies some innings after the team used nine pitchers to get through Wednesday's contest.

"Hopefully, he gets us deep in the game so we're not using a bunch of guys," Mattingly said.

Sanchez certainly will want to limit the damage against CJ Abrams, who collected three hits -- including a two-run triple in the 11th -- and drove in three runs on Wednesday.

Brady House hit a pinch homer for Washington and could get a start against the southpaw for the Nationals.

"It feels great," Washington manager Blake Butera said. "Obviously, we know what we've been going through the last week to 10 days. To see the way these guys played today ... it was really good."

--Field Level Media