It's going to be a long long August, September, and off-season. Yes, there are going to be growing pains, however, the Nationals could have won at least two of the three games against the Phillies during this series, however, once again the Washington Bullpen wasn't able to close the door and secure the win.
Josh Bell went three for five with a 3-run home run during the bottom of the fifth off Phillies Pitcher Aaron Nola on a 2-0 pitch. The 3-run home run was Bell's 19th of the 2021 season for the first baseman and gave the Nationals the lead until the top of the ninth when things once again imploded for the Nationals.
The Nationals also saw hits from Carter Kieboom, who recently has become a constant hitter, which the Nationals need to see from him. This afternoon, Kieboom went 2-3 with a double and an RBI.
Additionally, Juan Soto played some impressive right field in which he robbed the Phillies of a homerun, and at the plate, Soto went 1-2 with two walks. Soto's batting average is now at .296
Joe Ross was impressive on the mound as he went 6.1 innings, giving up three runs on five hits. Ross struck out seven and walked 2. Ross's ERA now sits at 4.02. With an ERA under three over the last two months, and With Max Scherzer gone, Strasburg hurt, and Corbin doing what he's doing it seems that Joe Ross has become the new No. 1 in D.C.
After Ross left the game, a combination of Ryan Harper, newly acquired pitcher Mason Thompson and the new "closer" for the Nationals, Kyle Finnegan, weren't able to hold on. Finnegan wasn't able to close out the Phillies in the top of the ninth. Carter Kieboom committed an error that came back to really hurt the team as both J.T. Realmuto and Rhys Hoskins were able to spoil the National's win with two out RBI's.
The Nationals improved to 50 - 49 and are still in fourth place in the NL East. According to Fan Graphs, the chances of the Nationals making the playoffs are now at 0.1%
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