Pitcher’s gaffe on bases trips Phillies

PHILADELPHIA — Vince Velasquez was aggressive at the wrong time.

Velasquez, a pinch-running pitcher, was called out for leaving second base early while tagging up, resulting in a game-ending double play that gave the Nationals a 5-4 win over the Phillies on Tuesday.

After Aaron Nola outpitched Max Scherzer for the second time in six days in a matchup of NL Cy Young Award contenders, the Phillies watched the Nationals rally for three runs in the ninth to take a 5-3 lead.

Wilson Ramos got the Phillies within a run with a pinch double in the bottom half, and Velasquez ran for the catcher. Greg Holland relieved and retired Jorge Alfaro on a fly ball to center, with Velasquez moving to third as the potential tying run.

The Nationals, however, appealed that Velasquez left too soon, and he was called out.

“I wasn’t nervous. I was trying to put pressure on the outfielder,” Velasquez said.

Manager Gabe Kapler told Velasquez after the game he should’ve stayed on second.

“He’s an inexperienced runner who gave us a valiant effort,” Kapler said. “He got overzealous.”

Anthony Rendon hit a goahead, two-run homer off Pat Neshek (1-1) in the Nationals’ ninth. The Nationals trailed 3-2 when Bryce Harper drew a leadoff walk from Tommy Hunter. Neshek surrendered Rendon’s 17th homer, and the Nats added another run on an error after Ryan Zimmerman hit his third double of the game and stole third.

It was the latest gut-wrenching loss for the Phillies, who are 6-13 since Aug. 8 and fell 41⁄2 games behind the NL Eastleading Braves.