The Phillies have not swept a three-game series on the road since April 2018. Against the Washington Nationals yesterday, they had their opportunity. The Phillies started off the came with a successful double steal in the first inning to give themselves a 1-0 lead.

The Phillies were facing a struggling pitcher in Patrick Corbin, who entered the game with a 7.36 ERA. After the first, the Phillies offense, like it has at times throughout the year, went completely silent and couldn’t recover after a shaky start for Zach Eflin.

In the span of three batters in the first inning, Eflin allowed a home run, a walk, and another home run. Kyle Schwarber hit a 1-0 sinker for a two-run home run to left field to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead. Starlin Castro walked and Josh Bell hit a two-run home run to right field on a first-pitch slider to make it 4-1.

Over the next five innings, Eflin allowed just one more run. He struck out nine overall. Corbin out-pitched Eflin. After allowing an infield single to Bryce Harper in the first inning, he only allowed a total of three more hits in seven innings of work. Corbin struck out nine and walked zero.

You’re not going to win many baseball games scoring just one run. Phillies hitters struck out 11 times and were 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

The Phillies were without both Didi Gregorius and JT Realmuto. Gregorius is dealing with a sore right elbow and Realmuto is on the COVID-19 injured list, but has tested negative for the virus. The Phillies will be in Dunedin, Florida for a weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays starting tonight at 7:35 pm. Vincent Velasquez (1-0, 4.18 ERA) will take the mound against Steven Matz (5-2, 4.87 ERA).

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Mandatory Credit: MLB.com