A painful, yet familiar loss. Phillies 8, Nationals 10

Losing any game sucks, but losing like this is next to unbearable.

Let’s get right into it:

Jake Arrieta began on the mound for the Phils, and hit some bumps early, allowing two singles and a GIDP to plate a run for the Nationals, giving them a swift 1-0 advantage.

On the other side, Patrick Corbin took to the bump for the Nationals. The Phillies saw the lefty extremely well today, as proven by a single from Jean Segura which fed into a double by Bryce Harper. Rhys Hoskins then walked to load the bases, allowing JT Realmuto to shoot a sacrifice fly to right field, plating Segura, and tying this game up at 1.

The Phils picked up where they left off in the 2nd, as Sean Rodriguez, who has been excellent in his substitute role thus far, singled to right to lead off the inning. Then, after an Andrew McCutchen walk, Jean Segura doubled in Rodriguez, putting the good guys up 2-1.

Jake Arrieta was seemingly cruising in the 3rd after striking out the first two batters he faced, but, a Brian Dozier long ball to left broke Jake’s rhythm, and tied us up at 2.

Fast forward to the bottom of the 4th, and the Phightin’s would answer once more, as Andrew McCutchen would single to plate Phil Gosselin, putting the Phillies back on top.

The Nationals were quick to retaliate, though, and, after a throwing error and groundout allowed Victor Robles to move over to 3rd base, Adam Eaton would sacrifice him in, tying us up once more at 3.

Jake Arrieta’s night was done after 6 innings. He looked quite solid for the majority of his outing — a few bad spots here and there, but, overall, he pitched to a respectable line of:

6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K.

Arrieta was relieved by Juan Nicasio, who, put bluntly, was not good tonight. After two straight singles, Nicasio’s offline throw on a Victor Robles sacrifice bunt would plate the two runners, and allow Robles to reach second safely. Thankfully, Nicasio got out of the inning without allowing further damage - 5-3 Nationals.

The Phillies then clapped back thunderously, and, after a flurry of doubles by Rhys Hoskins, JT Realmuto, Sean Rodriguez and Phil Gosselin, it was suddenly 8-5 Phillies.

Yet, this is where things went awry.

Pat Neshek, who relieved Nicasio, gave up a bunt ground ball, as well as a hot shot single to put men on 1st and 3rd with two outs. Gabe Kepler then decided to go to the bullpen for the most revered of relievers, Adam Morgan, who picked what was quite possibly the WORST time to lose his consecutive-scoreless-apperances streak.

He let up a 3-run dinger to Kurt Suzuki, and then a solo shot to Victor Robles, giving the Nationals a 9-8 lead in the 8th.

They would tack on another one in the 9th - the nail in the coffin.

Yes, it’s another painful loss to the pesky Walgreens impersonators, but I’m sure we’d all rather lose by a run or two then get completely blown out... right?

Let’s win this (insert expletive here) series tomorrow.