Nationals manager Blake Butera was ejected in the top of the seventh inning because he thought Garrett Stubbs tripped into Nasim Nuñez during a run down that began to change the tides into the Phillies favor.
While Butera was not witnessing the game from the dugout, he and the entire Nationals organization experienced a flashback and will have nightmares tonight because of their bullpen.
After cruising through six innings, the Nationals staff let Andrew Alvarez return for the seventh inning against
the bottom half of the Phillies order with a three-run lead. After a flyout to Alec Bohm, Bryan De La Cruz was hit by a backfoot slider in an 0-2 count that gifted him first base. Bryson Stott then worked a walk and it was time for the 2026 Washington Nationals bullpen.
First up is left-hander Tom Cosgrove against the bottom of the Phillies order. Against Edmundo Sosa, Cosgrove could not find the strike zone and walked Sosa on five pitches to bring up Derek Hill.
Against a left handed pitcher for the Nationals in a big leverage spot? Flashbacks!
After a shutdown inning from Orion Kerkering that featured an excellent running catch by Hill to save a leadoff double, the Nationals bullpen roulette must go on!
Clayton Beeter was summoned from the bullpen to try and keep the Phillies lead to only one-run. Unfortunately, it is the 2026 Washington Nationals bullpen and this is a Phillies game recap so you know what is about to happen.
After a five pitch walk to Kyle Schwarber, the next right fielder of the Philadelphia Phillies crushed a dead-center fastball right over Jacob Young’s head to give the Phillies a three run lead.
The game was not trending this way for most of the night. In the aftermath of one of the weirdest trade deadlines a Phillies fan might ever witness, they experienced a normal version of the Phillies during their post all-star break rut for at least half a dozen innings.
Aaron Nola took the ball against a Nationals team that is now missing a few pieces after making a few trades at the deadline. One of their new corner infielders, Abimelec Ortiz, crushed a hanging curveball for his first career home run to draw first blood.
In the second inning, it was even more quick trouble for Nola, Keibert Ruiz began the inning with a single and then Daylen Lile almost immediately took a high fastball over the right field seats to give them a 3-0 lead.
Nola was able to work through six innings without any damage, striking out five in the process against a pesky Nationals lineup.
Kyle Backhus started the seventh inning with the Phillies down three runs and it began to feel like one of those nights. Nasim Nuñez laid down a solid bunt and Backhus threw a fastball to Bryce Harper that went right past his glove and down foul territory in right field, De La Cruz struggled handing the ball so Nuñez made it to third base standing.
On a two-two count, Brady House his a dribbler right to Backhus but Nuñez went on contact, forcing a controversial run down that squandered a thread. But the inning wasn’t over yet, after a Jacob Young walk, it was first and second with one out.
Backhus then worked through the next two hitters, getting James Wood to hit a ground ball to first base and Andrés Chaparro to strikeout.
With two more scoreless innings from the bullpen, the Phillies begin their homestand with a win before Luis Arraez joins the club with several position changes to make it all work.
It was a bizarre day but good for Derek Hill.
