This is why Phil Hughes acted like a spazz trying to catch a non-existent liner earlier in the week. You never know when a batter is going to redirect your pitch right into your face. Roberto Hernandez knows: better safe than sorry.
With one out in the eighth, Washington's Denard Span lined a shot right back up the middle at the former Fausto Carmona, who instinctively threw his glove hand up and caught what could have been a real problem. He got blown back and was momentarily stunned, but collected himself and retired the next batter, Anthony Rendon, for the last out of the eighth.
Rendon was his last batter, but his eight innings were solid for Philadelphia, giving up one run on five singles. He had three strikeouts against one walk, and the Phillies hung on to beat the Nats 2-1.