The Phillies took home two victories against Nationals on Friday as they swept the day/night double-header. Both games were closer than they should have been, but nevertheless the Phil’s have stayed red-hot and are now 14-2 in the month of June.
The Phillies took the first game 5-3 after leading throughout the contest. Ranger Suárez allowed three earned runs over 5.2 innings, but Connor Brogdon, Seranthony Domínguez and Brad Hand were lights-out in relief. The Phillies missed some opportunities, leaving 11 runners on base, but still managed to stymie an awful Nationals team.
RELATED: Garrett Stubbs’ Walk-Off Saves Phillies
Game two was much more of a nail biter, with the Phils winning 8-7 in 10 innings. Swingman Bailey Falter surrendered three earned runs across 5.0 frames, while the struggling Nick Nelson allowed two more in 1.0 inning of work.
A ninth-inning solo shot from Matt Vierling (his second of the game) put the Phillies on top 6-5, but a Didi Gregorius throwing error in the bottom half of the inning allowed Washington to tie things up. Things got even more interesting when a tenth-inning J.T. Realmuto single drove in two runs on a controversial interference call. José Alvarado made things interesting in the bottom of the tenth, but the victory was sealed.
The Phillies are on a tear in the month of June, but still find themselves 8.0 games back in the NL East, as the Mets and Braves are equally hot. However, this recent run has pulled the Phils to only 2.5 games back of the final Wildcard spot. If today’s double-header sweep is any indication, the Phillies should keep on rolling against the Nats this weekend.