Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies Box Score on Sep 27, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Sep 27, 2017

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies got yet another strong performance from their bullpen, and Philadelphia held off the Washington Nationals 7-5 on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park.

Trailing 5-3 after the Nationals scored three runs in the top of the fifth, the Phillies scored three of their own in the bottom of the inning.

Aaron Altherr's two-run triple, his fifth three-bagger of the season, tied the score after Nationals starter Tanner Roark had walked two batters earlier. Odubel Herrera scored Altherr one batter later with a double, his 41st of the season.

That was enough for a Phillies relief corps that has been stellar in the final month of the season, though the offense added an insurance run in the eighth inning.

Philadelphia's bullpen entered the night with a 2.63 ERA since Aug. 27, which was good enough for fourth in the major leagues. In relief of Mark Leiter Jr. on Wednesday, five relievers combined to throw 4 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up three hits and walking four.

That came one night after the Phillies' bullpen pitched four perfect innings, striking out nine in a 4-1 win over the Nationals.

Hector Neris pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 26th save of the season. It was the 20th consecutive save for Neris, who hasn't blown an opportunity since June 21 against St. Louis.

Yacksel Rios (1-0) posted his first major league win, getting two outs in the fifth inning.

Roark (13-11) took the loss, giving up six runs, seven hits and five walks in 4 2/3 innings. That snapped his string of five consecutive starts in which he threw six innings or more while allowing three or fewer runs. He hadn't given up six runs in any start since June 25, a span of 15 outings.

The Phillies got on board first, plating three in the bottom of the second inning. Catcher Jorge Alfaro's two-run double was the key hit in the inning.

Washington got one back in each of the third and fourth innings on an RBI double by Daniel Murphy and solo home run by Michael A. Taylor.

The Nationals took the lead in the top of the fifth inning, plating three to open a 5-3 advantage. After Trea Turner and Bryce Harper opened the inning with singles, Anthony Rendon tied the score with an RBI single.

Jayson Werth followed one batter later with a two-run double against his former club, which he helped lead to a World Series championship in 2008.

Rendon's single chased Leiter, who gave up five runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. He threw 56 of his 98 pitches for strikes, walked three and struck out five.

NOTES: The Phillies have an off day Thursday before beginning a three-game series Friday against the New York Mets to close out the season. Phillies RHP Ben Lively (3-7, 4.35 ERA) faces Mets RHP Matt Harvey (5-6, 6.60 ERA) in the opener. ...The Nationals end their season with a four-game home series vs. Pittsburgh starting Thursday. Washington RHP Edwin Jackson (5-6, 5.40 ERA) faces Pirates RHP Ivan Nova (11-14, 4.14 ERA) in the opener. ... Washington finished the season series with an 11-8 advantage over Philadelphia. ... The Phillies are now 37-36 against the NL East with three division games left; they are trying for their first winning record in division play since 2011. ... Time of game was 3:53, the longest nine-inning game the Phillies played this season.