Rising Phillies win fifth in a row, top Nationals 12-6
WASHINGTON – Bryce Harper hit a lead single against his former team as part of a six-run sixth inning, Rafael Marchán, Andrew McCutchen and Brad Miller hit two-run homers and the Philadelphia Phillies outscored the Washington Nationals 12-6 Tuesday for his fifth consecutive victory.
Matt Vierling had four hits for the Phillies, who scored at least seven runs in six straight games for the first time since June 1933, moved within two and a half games of inactive Cincinnati for the run for the second NL wild card. Philadelphia improved to 8-1 at Nationals Park this season.
“We’ve had contributions from all over the place, and that’s the key to scoring in groups,” Phillies manager Joe Girardi said.
Carter Kieboom homered for Washington, which has lost four in a row and six of seven. The Nationals completed an August 7-20, their worst full month since 5-16 in April 2009.
The Phillies took control against tired starter Patrick Corbin (7-14) and the erratic Nationals bullpen in the sixth. Marchán tied it with a two-run shot, and Nick Maton’s walk ended Corbin’s night. Reliever Andrés Machado singled and hit a batter to bring in Harper, who drove in two with a strong hit to right-center field, but was eliminated trying to make it a double.
McCutchen followed up with an RBI double and then scored on an Odubel Herrera single to secure.
Harper, who signed a 13-year, $ 330 million deal with Philadelphia in 2019 after playing seven seasons in Washington, was 3-for-5, even as he received his usual boos at his old stadium. He’s hitting .419 (26-for-62) with seven homers and 14 RBIs against the Nationals this season.
Corbin, who allowed six runs in more than five innings, is tied for the major league lead in losses. He has allowed 33 home runs, the highest in the National League, including eight in 24 innings against the Phillies.
“Allowing those home runs there has been my problem all season,” said Corbin, who gave up McCutchen’s shot around a 65 mph curveball in the fourth, in addition to the explosion from Marchán. “Definitely frustrated with that, sure.”
Bailey Falter (2-0) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the victory.
COACH ROOM
Phillies: C JT Realmuto, who left Sunday’s game with a sore left ankle, was out of the lineup for the second straight game. “I didn’t feel comfortable sending it to 75-80 percent because I felt like it would just be delayed,” Girardi said. “I’m not sure if we are going to play with the weather tomorrow. I would possibly give it two days, which would be really helpful and I would feel like we took care of it. “… Philadelphia put Travis Jankowski on the paternity list and removed Vierling from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Nationals: SS Alcides Escobar was out of the lineup one day after fouling the inside of his left knee and coming out in the first inning. … Washington placed RHP Kyle Finnegan on the paternity list and removed RHP Wander Serum from Triple-A Rochester.
DEMOTED OAKS
Washington chose OF Victor Robles to Rochester, the 24-year-old’s first demotion to the minors since 2018. Robles, who started every 2019 World Series game and was the Opening Day opener for the Nationals in the center is season, he is hitting .203 with two home runs and 19 RBIs and had started twice in the past nine games while giving up playing time to newly acquired OF Lane Thomas.
“Hopefully it doesn’t take long for him to get back here,” manager Dave Martinez said. “This one hurt me a lot because I love the boy. We will be fine when he comes back and is playing well ”.
OF Andrew Stevenson was called up from Rochester to fill the position on Robles’ list.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola (7-7, 4.30 ERA) is 6-7 with a 4.08 ERA in 23 career starts against Washington, and allowed five runs in five innings on Aug. 5 in his only at-turn against the Nationals this season.
Nationals: RHP Paolo Espino (4-4, 4.13) struggled in August, going 1-2 with a 7.45 ERA while not pitching in the sixth inning in any of his five starts.
