Nationals eliminate Phillies with 4-1 win
WASHINGTON >> Anthony Rendon drove in Washington’s first two runs with a pair of sacrifice flies to raise his major league-leading RBIs total to 124, and the Nationals moved closer to clinching an NL wild-card berth by winning a doubleheader opener against the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 Tuesday.
The Phillies and their $330 million right fielder, ex-Nats star Bryce Harper, were eliminated from postseason contention with the loss. Harper was booed each time he strode to the plate, then heard cheers each time he made an out while going 1 for 4.
By day’s end, Washington could be assured of returning to the playoffs for the fifth time in eight years after sitting out in 2018. To clinch, the Nationals needed a sweep of Philadelphia plus a loss by the Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh.
Philadelphia took the lead with a run in the first against Joe Ross, who only lasted four innings.
It was a bullpen day for the Phillies, and Washington’s first hit didn’t come until Trea Turner led off the fourth with a double off the visitors’ third pitcher. Turner took third on a sacrifice bunt, then came home on a tying fly by Rendon.
Washington took a 2-1 lead in the sixth thanks again to a fly ball by Rendon, this one off Nick Vincent (1-4) and caught by Harper in right. Turner reached on an infield single and moved to third on Adam Eaton’s double.
Ryan Zimmerman tacked on an RBI single, making it 3-1.
Tanner Rainey (2-3) struck out two in a 1-2-3 sixth, and Daniel Hudson threw a perfect ninth for his fourth save in six chances with Washington.
The day game was a makeup of a June 18 rainout. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was scheduled for start the night game for Washington and Aaron Nola for Philadelphia.