Phillies lose to Nationals, secure 2-seed in NL playoffs
- The Philadelphia Phillies lost to the Washington Nationals, resulting in a 6-3 score.
- Joey Gallo's three-run homer in the eighth inning was a key moment in the game.
- As a consequence of this loss, the Phillies will enter the playoffs as the second seed in the National League.
On Saturday, the Philadelphia Phillies faced the Washington Nationals, resulting in a 6-3 loss that secured the Los Angeles Dodgers' home-field advantage throughout the postseason. The game featured a pivotal moment in the eighth inning when Joey Gallo hit a three-run homer, contributing to a four-run rally for the Nationals. This loss means the Phillies will enter the playoffs as the second seed in the National League. Zack Wheeler pitched effectively for the Phillies, striking out 11 batters and allowing only three hits over 6 1/3 innings, finishing the season with a 16-7 record and a 2.57 ERA. However, the Phillies' offense struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, with Alec Bohm's RBI grounder in the ninth being their only significant contribution late in the game. The game also saw tensions rise, as both benches cleared after Bryce Harper struck out, leading to a confrontation with a Nationals player. This incident highlighted the competitive nature of the match and the stakes involved as both teams aimed to finish the season strong. Looking ahead, the Phillies are set to face off against teams emerging from the Wild Card Series in the Division Series starting on October 5. They will rely on their ace, Aaron Nola, who has performed well against the Nationals this season, to help them advance in the playoffs.