Bullpen Struggles In Nationals' Late Inning Loss vs Philadelphia

The Nationals did it once again. Despite their early lead they managed to still fall late in the innings as Phillies' 5-4 win was enough to take game three of the four-game series. 

In no time, the Nationals struck first. It was Luis García Jr. who got the Nationals on the board after he homered the 92 mph sinker 412 feet out to center. Against the Phillies, García was hot and he continued to stay hot. This marked García’s third straight game where he had a home run. Tonight’s homer marked his 13th home run of the season.

It was back-to-back strong innings for the Nationals. On just the first pitch to Jorbit Vivas, he drilled the 78 mph knuckle curve ball 403 feet out to right center for a solo home run. This marked his third home run of the season and his fourth in his career.

Hours after being called up, starting pitcher Carson Palmquist got his Nationals debut and executed his pitches well. After 3.1 innings pitched, he gave up one run, two hits, and secured three strikeouts. As Palmquist exited the mound, the fans rose to their feets and congratulated the pitcher on an impressive start against a difficult and skilled Phillies lineup. 

It looked like the third inning would also be an opportunity for more Nationals runs. García walked and it wasn’t long until CJ Abrams drilled a double to left.

As of lately, the Nationals have needed to tighten up their base running. It almost cost the Nationals their third out after García ran just a little too far on Abrams double. Fortunately, he was able to back track to base. 

But it didn’t matter much longer after that because Daylen Lile secured the third out of the inning which left two runners stranded on base for the Nationals.

And before you knew it, the Phillies dug into the Nationals lead. Despite the two outs the Phillies had, they managed to get three runs and take the lead, 3-2, to close out the top of the fourth inning. 

After a silent fifth inning for both teams, the action picked back up in the sixth. Even though Curtis Mead wasn’t in the starting line up for the Nationals he stepped up big time off the bench. 

The 87 mph slider was no match for Mead as he launched the ball 394 feet out to left for the first two run home run of the game. More importantly, the Nationals regained the lead, 4-3, as they headed into the seventh inning. 

It appeared that the Nationals would keep the momentum going after José Tena tripled to left in the seventh inning. Abrams would go on to walk and he quickly stole second base. But with two outs, the odds of any action happening behind the bat were slim. Once again, it was Lile who fouled out to third and left two runners stranded on base again. 

With two outs for the Phillies in the ninth inning, it looked like the third out would come easy for Orlando Ribalta but Kyle Schwarber spent a decent time at bat and eventually earned the walk. Richard Lovelady relieved Ribalta and hoped that he could seal the win for the Nationals. 

One more out was all they needed and Lovelady but unfortunately, he couldn’t deliver the win. Phillies Derek Hill fired the 92 mph four-seam fastball off his bat, 382 feet to right center for the two-run home run. Once again, the Nationals would be forced to battle back after blowing yet another lead in late innings. 

However, the Nationals never couldn’t deliver as they earned yet another devastating, back-to-back late inning loss.

The Nationals will look to tie the four-game Phillies series tomorrow at 6:45 p.m. before they take on the Orioles for the Battle of the Beltway three-game series. 

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