The Phillies fell to the Nationals by a final score of 3-1 today, in the first game of a single admission double header. With twelve Nationals out due to COVID-19, including four players and eight coaches, the Phillies had a great chance to take game 3, but couldn’t get the job done. The team is now 50-51 on the season.

A pitching duel was as obvious as it could get coming in to today’s game, with the Phillies sending Zack Wheeler to the mound, and the Nationals throwing Max Scherzer. Max Scherzer, the biggest name on the trade block right now, could have potentially made his last start in a Nationals uniform today.

The Nationals got on the board early, with a sacrifice fly to left field that would score Josh Harrison in the top of the second. The Nationals took a 1-0 lead, which wouldn’t change until the bottom of the fourth, as JT Realmuto stepped to the plate.

Other than a Realmuto home run, the Phillies couldn’t get anything going today facing Max Scherzer. Scherzer threw six innings, surrendering only one earned run, three hits, and striking out five batters. Pitching to prove himself, Scherzer would have all of his stuff today, not giving the Phillies many chances to make something happen.

Brad Miller provided a game saving play in the top of the 6th, making a fantastic play at first base, to eventually dive into the bag to save the go-ahead run from crossing the plate. The Phillies would stay tied heading into the seventh inning with the Nationals, until Yan Gomes came to the plate in the top of the 7th.

Zack Wheeler started off hot today, but threw one bad pitch in the end that would cost the Phillies the game. Wheeler went 7 innings, while allowing three earned runs, seven hits, two walks, and striking out five batters. That one bad pitch would be a ball right over the plate, that Gomes would send into the bushes in centerfield.

The team will get right back into the action vs the Nationals at 2:50, with Cristopher Sanchez being called up just moments ago, to now get the start in less than an hour. Patrick Corbin (6-9, 5.71 ERA) will get the ball for the Nationals. The Phillies now fall to 50-51 on the season, looking to take the final game of the series from the Nationals, with the trade deadline coming in just over 24 hours.

Lineup for Game 2:

Note: Cristopher Sanchez will start today for the Phils, Rafael Marchan will catch him. Luke Williams will play centerfield and Ronald Torreyes will play shortstop, giving Odubel Herrera and Didi Gregorious a game off.

Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Phillies via Twitter