Nothing about the first five innings suggested Philadelphia had a chance. Washington scored 4 runs in the first and added another in the third, and the Phillies went quietly against Cade Cavalli. Then the game changed entirely. Philadelphia scored 2 in the sixth, 3 in the seventh to tie it, and 5 in the ninth to finish off a 10-5 win at Nationals Park.
Bryce Harper was the central figure in the comeback. He went 2-for-3 with 2 walks, a home run, and 3 RBI. In the ninth, with the game tied at 5-5, Harper homered to left — 390 feet — with Garrett Stubbs scoring on the play, putting Philadelphia ahead 7-5 for good. It was his 18th home run of the season. Brandon Marsh was equally important: 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run, and 3 RBI. His two-run shot to right center in the sixth — 420 feet, with Bryce Harper scoring — started the rally. Derek Hill capped the ninth with a two-run homer to left center, 441 feet, with J.T. Realmuto scoring, making it 10-5.
The Phillies' comeback through the middle innings was methodical. In the seventh, Crawford scored on a Harper walk, then Turner scored on a Marsh walk, and Alec Bohm's fielder's choice brought Schwarber home to tie the game at 5-5. In the ninth, Harper's go-ahead homer was followed by Realmuto's RBI double and Hill's two-run shot to complete the five-run frame.
Washington's early lead was built on a strong first inning: Curtis Mead homered to left center to open the scoring, Chaparro scored on a Daylen Lile single, Crews scored on a Jacob Young groundout, and Lile scored on a Nuñez single. Cade Cavalli held that lead through 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits with 7 strikeouts. The bullpen could not hold it. Gus Varland allowed 5 runs on 6 hits in 2 innings and took the loss, falling to 1-2. On the Philadelphia side, Cristopher Sanchez was charged with 5 runs on 7 hits over 5 innings in a no-decision, his ERA standing at 2.13. Orion Kerkering worked a scoreless seventh and earned the win, improving to 5-0 with a 2.35 ERA.
Philadelphia extended its winning streak to two games and improved to 44-36. Washington dropped to 41-40, losing its second straight.