The Phillies were in D.C. last night to open up a three game series against the Washington Nationals. It was the first time they faced the Nationals this year. Like every time he returns home to where he started his MLB career, Bryce Harper was booed as he approached the box in the first inning. Just two pitches later, Harper hit a bomb off of Erick Fedde to the second deck of right field, giving the Phillies a much needed 1-0 lead on the road.

Chase Anderson pitched well, retiring 15-of-16 as he battled through five scoreless innings. He pitched so well, that in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and nobody out, Joe Girardi opted to send him to the plate to bat and return for the mound. It was a puzzling move, since Anderson has rarely pitched deep into ball games this year and the Phillies desperately needed some run support.

Anderson flied out to shallow left field, Andrew McCutchen struck out, and Jean Segura lined out following a 14-pitch at-bat to end the inning. In the sixth, Anderson let up a solo home run to Trea Turner and a base hit to Juan Soto. His night was over. Sam Coonrod would enter the game and let Soto score off a Kyle Shwarber single, and just like that the night turned into a one-run game.

The rest of the bullpen would shut it down until the eighth inning. Odúbel Herrera hit a leadoff double to get things moving for the Phillies. Herrera is now hitting .368 (7-for-19) with two doubles, one home run, four RBIs and a 1.110 OPS in his last six games. Alec Bohm pinch hit and delivered an opposite-field double to score Herrera, giving the Phillies a much needed insurance run.

From there, Cutch and Bryce Harper both walked and Andrew Knapp, who entered the game for an injured JT Realmuto, hit an opposite field single to score two runs and give the Phillies a 6-2 lead.

The Philies 6-2 victory gave them a much needed win on the road. They improved to 19-17 and are one game back in second place behind the New York Mets. The win put the Phillies in position to win a series on the road, something they have not done since September 2019.

Notes:

Rhys Hoskins hit an RBI single in the third inning to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead. Andrew McCutchen hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead.

JT Realmuto suffered a muscle bruise after he was hit in the left knee by a foul ball from Josh Bell in the seventh inning. He remained in the game as Jose Alvarado struck Bell out to end the inning before being replaced by Andrew Knapp.

Injury Update:

Archie Bradley (left oblique strain) is scheduled to make a rehabilitation appearance Wednesday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Bradley has not pitched for Philadelphia since April 10.

Up Next:

Zack Wheeler (3-2, 2.83 ERA) will be on the mound tonight, making his first start since his three-hit shutout against the Brewers last Thursday. He was 1-1 with a 1.46 ERA in two starts against the Nationals last season.

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