Thursday, October 1, 2026
79 ° Clear
79 ° Clear
Heading into their series with the Washington Nationals, the Philadelphia Phillies were looking to size up their division rivals.
The Nationals have assembled a young and dynamic offense, ranking among the top of all teams in offensive categories.
Led by superstars like James Wood and C.J. Abrams, Washington has a bright future ahead of it.
However, on Thursday night, the Phillies reminded the Nats why exactly they still have a lot of growing up to do.
Cristopher Sanchez did not have his best stuff on Thursday night.
A favorite for the National League Cy Young Award, fans have grown accustomed to Sanchez not allowing many runs, if any at all, to score.
The dynamic Nationals, however, wanted to prove they could compete with the best in baseball.
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Washington jumped out to a four-spot in the first inning to welcome Sanchez to Nationals Park. A solo home run by Curtis Mead, the player the Phillies traded to Tampa Bay for Sanchez, got the scoring started.
It was another chapter in such an unlikely story of triumph and grit.
Mead's home run would be followed by a few singles as the Nats passed the baton through the order.
The Phillies' starter only went five innings in this ballgame, the fewest of any start this season. His earned run average jumped from 1.80 to 2.13. It served as a reminder that on any given day, even the best in baseball might struggle.
When Sanchez exited the ballgame, he was in line for a loss. It would have been his fourth of the season.
Instead, his teammates picked him up, returning the favor on the amazing start their ace has delivered.
Through five, the Phillies were scoreless.
In the top of the sixth inning, Bryce Harper reached base with a one-out single, trying to get the fire started for his team.
Soon to be a National League All-Star, Brandon Marsh stepped into the box and crushed a ball to deep right field. It was Marsh's third home run in his last five games.
Brandon's blast gave him his 12th of the season. His career high for home runs in a single season is 16, a mark he set in 2024. Marsh is on pace to hit 24 in what has become the best season of his career.
Now trailing 5-2, the Phillies were back within striking distance.
In the top of the seventh, Justin Crawford would get the inning started with a one-out single. Crawford would notch two hits in the ballgame. June has been kind to the Phillies' rookie, who is hitting .271 since the calendar flipped.
A single by Trea Turner would be followed by a walk to Kyle Schwarber, loading the bases for Harper.
Harper would also walk, scoring the Phillies' third run of the evening.
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A pitching change for Washington could not shake the momentum, as Marsh would also get walked. This brought the score to a 5-4 ballgame.
Alec Bohm nearly ended the inning with a ground ball to second, but Nationals' second baseman Jorbit Vivas was unable to turn the double play. This tied the game at 5-5.
Now in the two previous ballgames, the Nationals would wait for the Phillies to strike before returning the favor. This time, Washington remained scoreless against the Phillies' bullpen.
In the top of the ninth, the Phillies once again were ready to strike.
A leadoff single by Schwarber was followed by a Harper blast to right, giving Philly a 7-5 lead.
They did not stop there, however.
A two-out double by J.T. Realmuto would plate another run. Then, a two-run home run by Derek Hill would complete the offensive performance by the Phillies, who had scored 10 unanswered runs.
A 1-2-3 inning for Tim Mayza shut the door in the ninth, giving the Phillies their third straight victory.
