WASHINGTON, DC — The Washington Nationals dropped a heartbreaker to the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 on Wednesday night at Nationals Park, as Philadelphia pulled off its second straight ninth-inning comeback victory in the series.
The Nationals built a 4-3 lead into the final frame behind early power from Luis Garcia Jr., Javier Vivas and a pinch-hit two-run homer by Curtis Mead. Garcia Jr. launched a 412-foot solo shot in the first, and Vivas added a homer in the second to extend the advantage. Mead came off the bench in the sixth and delivered a two-run blast that gave Washington what looked like a comfortable cushion.
Derek Hill, pinch-hitting with two outs in the ninth, delivered the decisive blow — a two-run homer off Richard Lovelady that flipped the script and handed the Phillies the win. Jhoan Duran came on to record the final three outs for his 19th save.
The loss came one night after the Phillies erupted for eight ninth-inning runs in a 14-9 victory, making it two straight dramatic defeats for the home side in what has become a back-and-forth series.
Despite the result, the Nationals showed fight and put together quality at-bats against a strong Phillies club. The bullpen was asked to bridge a late lead but couldn’t hold it. Washington now looks to salvage the series in the finale as the calendar pushes toward the All-Star break.