After a dominating performance by starting pitcher Max Scherzer, the Washington Nationals found themselves trailing the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 through seven innings. With their ace off the mound and deep into their bullpen, Washington found a way to rally with four unanswered runs in their final two frames to stun the Phillies 5-4, collecting the series win and ending their 10-game home-stand with a 7-3 mark.
The Nationals chipped away, as Anthony Rendon delivered a two-run single with two outs in the eighth to cut the deficit to 4-3. After a stellar hold by closer Sean Doolittle in the top half of the ninth, Washington offense flexed it’s muscle plating five without recording an out capped with Wilmer Difo driving in Howie Kendrick with a walk-off single.
WALK-OFF WILMER! #Nats win 5-4! pic.twitter.com/NUsXJoPmuE
— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) May 6, 2018
Nationals catcher Matt Wieters led the ninth off with single. Rafael Bautista, pinch-running for Wieters, reached to third off a pick-off error by Phillies reliever Hector Neris. The wheels continued to fall off for Philly, as Neris hit Kendrick with a pitch. Michael A. Taylor draw a walk to load the bases. Pedro Severino drew a pinch-hit walk to score Bautista to tie the game at 4-4.
Then Difo delivered with his 12th RBI of the season and the Nationals’ first-walk off of the season.
Neris allowed two runs, two hits, and two walks without recording an out to get the loss.
Philadelphia’s bullpen erased a solid outing from starter Jake Arrieta, as he went six innings allowing one earned run and two hits. He was on deck for the win, as he survived through a more impressive performance by Scherzer. The two-time defending NL Cy Young, struck out 15 batters allowing one earned run, five hits and a walk in 6 1/3 innings.
.@Max_Scherzer is the first pitcher EVER to strike out at least 15 batters while recording 19 outs or less. pic.twitter.com/lpYhGLePIl
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) May 6, 2018
The Nationals bullpen staggered with Brandon Kintzler, Sammy Solis and Carlos Torres each allowed a run to put Washington in a 4-1 hole with six outs remaining. Washington only needed three to rally.
A come-from-behind walkoff win. Scherzer Ks 15. Nats post a 7-3 homestand. The flight out west will be a happy one.
— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) May 6, 2018
The win gives the Nationals the series 2-1 against Philadelphia. The Nationals head for a road trip out west with a 18-17 record and two games out of first place in the NL East.
