Another good start is wasted as the bullpen is unable to hold the lead before the Phils lose to the Nats in extra-innings in walk-off fashion, 4-3.

The Phils wasted another good start as the bullpen is unable to hold the lead before they finally lose in the eleventh inning on a bases-loaded walk-off single, losing to the Nats, 4-3.

The Phils took the lead in the fourth as, with one man on, and with one man out, Hunter Pence hits a two-run home run, his fourth home run of the season, knocking in Juan Pierre, who had started the inning off with a single, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead. The Nats got a run back in their half of the fourth as Chad Tracy hits a lead-off home run, his first home run of the season, cutting the Phils’ lead to 2-1. The Phils then added to their lead in the fifth as Carlos Ruiz hits a lead-off home run, his fifth home run of the year, giving the Phils a 3-1 lead. The Nats would cut the Phils’ lead down to 3-2 in the sixth as, with runners on second and third, and with one man out, Jesus Flores hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Danny Espinosa, who had earlier walked, then stopped at third on Rick Ankiel’s double. The Nats then tied the game up at three-all in the eighth as, with two men on, and with one man out, Flores hits an RBI double, knocking in Tracy, who had earlier singled, then moved up to second base on Espinosa’s sacrifice bunt, 3-4, while sending Ankiel, who had just been intentionally walked, all the way to third based. The Nats then won the game in the bottom of the eleventh as, with the bases loaded, via a single by Steve Lombardozzi, and walks by Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth, and with two men out, pinch hitter Wilson Ramos hits an RBI single, knocking in Lombardozzi, giving the Nats a 4-3, walk-off win.

Kyle Kendrick got a no-decision as he went five innings, giving up a run on seven hits and two walks, while striking out two. Joe Savery collected his first hold of the year as he pitched a third of an inning, giving up a run on a hit and a walk. Jose Contreras received his second hold of the season as he threw two-thirds of an inning, giving up a hit. Antonio Bastardo collected his fourth hold of the year as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Chad Qualls blew his second save opportunity of the season, as he went an inning, giving up a run on two hits and two walks. Michael Schwimer (0-1, 6.35) took the lost as he went two and two-thirds innings, giving up a run on three hits and two walks, while he struck out a batter. Stephen Strasburg also got a no-decision as he threw six innings, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out four. Tom Gorzelanny, Craig Stammen, Henry Rodriguez and Tyler Clippard combined for four scoreless innings, giving up three hits (Gorzelanny (2), Stammen (1)) and a walk (Rodriguez) between them, while striking out six (Gorzelanny (1), Stammen (1), Rodriguez (2), Clippard (2)). Ryan Perry (1-0, 4.50) got the win as he threw a 1-2-3 inning.

The Phils had only six hits in the game, with Carlos Ruiz leading the team with two hits, a single and a solo home run, as he knocked in a run. Juan Pierre (Single), Placido Polanco (Single), Hunter Pence (Home Run, 2 RBIs), and Shane Victorino (Single) had the other four Phils’ hits as Nats’ pitching cooled off the bats. The Phils also had two walks and two stolen bases (Pence (3), Victorino (9)).

The Phils (13-14, 4th) continue their series with the Nationals (17-9, 1st) with an afternoon game already in progress, with the Phils trailing.