The Philadelphia Phillies split a double header against the Washington Nationals yesterday, winning the first game 8-4 before letting game 2 slip away in the ninth inning, losing 5-4. 

Schwarber, Bohm lead Phillies to 8-4 win

Zack Wheeler was on the bump in game one and struggled early before settling in and earning the win. The Phillies’ ace allowed three earned runs over six innings of work and really, after a rough second and third, settled in as Kyle Schwarber hit two home runs to lead the Phillies to an easy 8-4 win.

Kyle Schwarber Hits 2 Home Runs in Phillies 8-4 Win

On the season, Wheeler is now 9-5 with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He needed a little help today, sure, but settled in and let Alex Bohm and a few Schwarbombs handle the rest.

Phillies Lose 5-4 in Game 2

In game two, the Phillies managed to jump out to an early lead thanks to a double by Trea Turner that scored Nick Castellanos.

Ranger Suarez coughed up the Phillies 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning on a Ildemaro Vargas two-run home run that tied the game heading into the fifth.

Thankfully for Suarez and the Phillies, Bryce Harper responded immediately, crushing a go-ahead two-run home run that scored Kyle Schwarber.

Bryce Harper Go-Ahead 2-Run Home Run

Suarez was effective on the mound but certainly not his best. Suarez pitched just 5.2 innings allowing six hits, two earned runs and two walks while striking out five.

With two outs in the top of the sixth inning, Jeff Hoffman entered in relief and worked the Phillies out of a bases loaded jam before things fell apart in the seventh, allowing a two-run home run to Joey Meneses that tied the game 4-4. 

Unfortunately, Meneses’ reign of terror on the Philadelphia Phillies wasn’t finished. 

After Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto combined to throw 1.1 scoreless innings, the Phillies called upon Craig Kimbrel in the top of the ninth inning and Meneses struck again, taking the Phillies closer deep to left field to give the Nationals a 5-4 lead. 

Back to Earth: After a dominant start to the 2023 MLB season and a trip to the All-Star game, it looks like Craig Kimbrel is actually human. He’s allowed five runs (four earned) in his last nine appearances (9 innings). 

Reason to panic? Definitely not, but at the same time, it’s definitely something to keep an eye on over the next month as we enter the final stretch of the regular season.

Plus, these umpires completely missed a strike three call that would have prevented the home run anyways but I’m tired of complaining about the umpires so it is what it is, unfortunately.

Phillies Hunt for Red October

The Phillies still sit atop of the NL Wild Card standings, tied with the San Francisco Giants. The Giants swept the Phillies back in May so technically, they do hold the tie breaker for the number one seed if the season were to end today. 

San Francisco will head to Citizens Bank Park for a three game series on August 21st, which could hold major postseason implications when it’s all said and done. 

The Phillies will send Michael Lorenzen to the mound for game 3 of 4 against the Nationals tonight at Citizens Bank Park. Lorenzen dazzled in his Phillies debut agains the Marlins, throwing eight innings of two-run baseball while allowing six hits and striking out five.

Catch up on everything from Citizens Bank Park during yesterday’s doubleheader here >>

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