The Philadelphia Phillies wrapped up their three-game series with the Washington Nationals behind a 3-2 win on a sunny afternoon at the ballpark. With the win, the Phillies improve to 76-54, while the Nationals slip to 53-77. Philadelphia continues its string of divisional play with a field trip to Citi Field to battle the New York Mets starting on Monday night.
Backup catcher Rafael Marchan tallied three RBIs as he spelled starting catcher J.T. Realmuto for the day. Philadelphia took the lead in the second inning after Marchan doubled to center field, which allowed Nick Castellanos to score from third base, while Stott hustled his way home from first base for a 2-0 Phillies advantage.
Ranger Suarez allowed his first hit in the third inning, but was on cruise control most of the afternoon, as he limited the Nationals to three hits over seven innings. He established a new career-high in strikeouts with 11. It is his second double-digit strikeout performance in a row, following 6.2 innings and striking out 10 Mariners on Aug. 18. Suarez did not walk any batters on Sunday.
Jose Alvarado stepped in to pitch the eighth inning, but struggled with his command early. He allowed a lead-off single to Brady House before walking Robert Hassell III and Jacob Young, loading the bases with no one out. Tanner Banks arrived out of the pen to clean up the mess. The Phillies reliever traded outs for a run by rolling a double-play ball to Bryson Stott, allowing House to score, but adding a quick two outs to the scoreboard. Banks then got CJ Abrams to fly out to Harrison Bader in center field to end the eighth inning with the Phillies ahead 3-1.
In the ninth, Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering stepped on the rubber to close the game. Phillies closer Jhoan Duran had pitched the last evenings and was likely only available in an emergency for Rob Thomson.
Kerkering started with a strikeout of Riley Adams, before pinch-hitter Luis Garcia Jr. skied a solo home run over the head of Bader for a one-run game at 3-2. Paul DeJong grounded out to the catcher, while Dylan Crews grounded out to Turner at shortstop for the final out as the Phillies held on to the tight 3-2 victory on Sunday afternoon.
Philadelphia travels to Citi Field in Queens, New York, for a three-game set against the New York Mets starting on Monday afternoon. All three games in Queens are scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m.
