The Washington Nationals dropped their second game in a row to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night by the score of 7-4. It was a night where nothing went right for the Nationals and most of it was their own doing or lack of doing.
Washington starter Jason Marquis held off the powerful Phillies offense for four-innings before running into trouble in the bottom of the fifth and gave up three runs. It was all the Phillies needed, but the Phillies tacked on four more runs in the sixth to add insult to injury. Marquis ended up going five innings giving up 10 hits, seven runs, six earned.
The Nationals scored a run in the top of the sixth when Adam LaRoche hit a RBI double to drive in second baseman Danny Espinosa. Espinosa then added three runs in the top of the ninth by hitting a three-run bomb. It was Espinosa's third home run of the season. Bench player Matt Stairs singled in the ninth, his 100th career pinch hit, tying Le Grande Orange, Rusty Staub, for 18th all-time.
While the score seemed close, it was another abysmal night for the Nationals offense as Phillies pitcher Vance Worley dominated them and made it look easy. GM Mike Rizzo and manager Jim Riggleman have a lot to work to do to get the Nats offense to have any sort of spark. If they are unable to inspire, the Nationals are headed for a deep spiral.
The Nationals now have a record of 14-16 and are fourth in the NL East.