| Philadelphia Phillies | 3 |
| Washington Nationals | 6 |
 |
| 2026 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (Series 2) #4 |
Nationals Park - Washington, DC
83-68, 2nd Place, 5 1/2 games behind the Braves
83-68, 2nd Place, 5 1/2 games behind the Braves
One Sentence Summary: Christopher Sanchez stumbled through 6 1/3 innings, Jonathan Bowlan allowed a three-run to the first batter he faced, and the Phillies offense was absent for the middle innings of this game, as the team lost to the Nationals, 6-3.
What It Means: Fortunately, the Diamondbacks lost, so the Phillies magic number to clinch a Wild Card spot decreased to 8 with 11 games to play. The afternoon started off with bad news as it was announced Jesus Luzardo was going on the injured list with shoulder stiffness. He and the team insist it's no big deal, but with the playoffs looming, this news sure does sound grim. In hindsight, Luzardo probably should not have thrown 109 pitches last week in his first career shutout.
What Happened: Alec Bohm singled home Kyle Schwarber with the game's first run in the first inning, but the Nationals quickly took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first. Luis Arraez doubled home Trea Turner to tie the game int he third, and the Phillies took a brief lead in the top of the fifth on Schwarber's 45th home run of the season. It was all downhill from there. Sanchez allowed a solo home run to Andres Chaparro in the bottom of the fifth, tying the game again. Pinch-hitter Daylen Lile homered off Bowlan following Sanchez's exit, giving the Nationals a 6-3 lead in the seventh.
Featured Card: In more positive news, the Reading Fightin Phils won Game 1 of their playoff series against the Hartford Yard Goats by a convincing score of 21-4. Bryan Rincon was 2 for 5 with five RBIs and Aroon Escobar was 2 for 4 with a two-run home run. It was Reading's first playoff win since 2016.
Transaction: Luzardo (lhp) was placed on the 15-day IL and Kyle Backhus (lhp) was recalled. For the record, the original transaction announcement had Grant Holman (rhp) getting the promotion.
What It Means: Fortunately, the Diamondbacks lost, so the Phillies magic number to clinch a Wild Card spot decreased to 8 with 11 games to play. The afternoon started off with bad news as it was announced Jesus Luzardo was going on the injured list with shoulder stiffness. He and the team insist it's no big deal, but with the playoffs looming, this news sure does sound grim. In hindsight, Luzardo probably should not have thrown 109 pitches last week in his first career shutout.
What Happened: Alec Bohm singled home Kyle Schwarber with the game's first run in the first inning, but the Nationals quickly took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first. Luis Arraez doubled home Trea Turner to tie the game int he third, and the Phillies took a brief lead in the top of the fifth on Schwarber's 45th home run of the season. It was all downhill from there. Sanchez allowed a solo home run to Andres Chaparro in the bottom of the fifth, tying the game again. Pinch-hitter Daylen Lile homered off Bowlan following Sanchez's exit, giving the Nationals a 6-3 lead in the seventh.
Featured Card: In more positive news, the Reading Fightin Phils won Game 1 of their playoff series against the Hartford Yard Goats by a convincing score of 21-4. Bryan Rincon was 2 for 5 with five RBIs and Aroon Escobar was 2 for 4 with a two-run home run. It was Reading's first playoff win since 2016.
Transaction: Luzardo (lhp) was placed on the 15-day IL and Kyle Backhus (lhp) was recalled. For the record, the original transaction announcement had Grant Holman (rhp) getting the promotion.
