Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber celebrates with Philadelphia Phillies’ Trea Turner after scoring a run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Washington Nationals pitcher MacKenzie Gore throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Kyle Schwarber’s 43rd homer sends Phillies to 6-2 win over Nats. Closer Duran injured in 9th
WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit his 43rd homer, a tiebreaking, three-run shot in the seventh inning, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 6-2 on Friday night to snap a three-game skid.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber celebrates with Philadelphia Phillies’ Trea Turner after scoring a run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit his 43rd homer, a tiebreaking, three-run shot in the seventh inning, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 6-2 on Friday night to snap a three-game skid.
Bryce Harper with a drive over the center-field fence, the sixth time this season the Phillies have homered back-to-back. Both ex-Nats were cheered by a pro-Philly crowd of 35,143, and Schwarber got “M-V-P!†chants when he batted in the ninth.
Phillies closer Jhoan Duran, pitching in a non-save situation in the ninth, took a sharp grounder off his right ankle from Paul DeJong and came up limping. After a lengthy visit by trainers, he . Postgame X-rays were negative, the Phillies said.
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After a solid start by Nationals ace MacKenzie Gore, the National League East-leading Phillies feasted on last-place Washington’s inexperienced bullpen. Clayton Beeter (0-2) walked two batters in the seventh and gave way to Konnor Pilkington, who hung a 1-0 slider that into the right-field stands.
Phillies ace Zack Wheeler was limited to five innings for the second consecutive start. He allowed two runs on four hits, including the third career homer by Nationals rookie Daylen Lile. Tanner Banks (4-2) pitched a scoreless sixth.
Gore settled down after a rocky first inning that included an RBI double by Harper. He pumped his fist and yelled after he fanned Harrison Bader to end the sixth with the game tied at 2-all.
Key moment
Riley Adams led off the Nationals’ fifth with a walk and the 263-pound catcher caught Wheeler by surprise by stealing his first base of the season. But Wheeler retired the next three batters to keep it tied.
Key stat
After pitching to a 13.12 ERA in four starts following his first All-Star appearance, Gore has a 1.50 ERA in his two most recent outings.
Up next
Veteran Phillies RHP Taijuan Walker (4-5, 3.39 ERA) opposes the Nationals’ Cade Cavalli (0-0, 3.86), who will make his third start of the season, on Saturday.
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