Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper took a few steps toward the fence and then stopped to watch the ball as Carlos Santana of the Phillies crushed a two-run homer over his head in the sixth inning Friday night.
That has been a familiar scene recently for the Nationals pitching staff, which gave up three homers and eight walks to Philadelphia in a 12-2 loss in a game played before 35,630 fans and amidst a light rain.
Washington has now allowed 17 homers in the last eight games and has given up 84 homers this season. Washington entered Friday with the second-best ERA in the league at 3.40 but only five teams in the National League had given up more homers.
The Nationals (40-34), who fell to 18-19 at home, began the day three games back of the first-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East. The Phillies (40-33) have won eight of their last 11 after lashing out 15 hits.
Santana had his two-run homer off reliever Matt Grace to give the Phillies a lead of 8-2. Santana and Harper, who was 1-for-3 with a walk in the leadoff spot, entered the game as two of only four players in the majors with at least 40 RBI and 50 walks.
Nick Williams of the Phillies had an RBI single in the fifth for a 5-2 advantage against starter Tanner Roark (3-8), who was later taken out with the bases loaded and one out.
Lefty Tim Collins took over to face Andrew Knapp, who had an RBI single for a 6-2 edge. Roark, who has allowed 13 homers this year, gave up six runs in 4 1/3 inningsFriday.
Odubel Herrera (4-for-5) had slammed a two-run homer off Roark in the fourth to give the Phillies a 4-2 lead.
Michael A. Taylor of the Nationals had an RBI double in the second and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Wilmer Difo to tie the game at 2-2 off starter and winner Zach Eflin (5-2). Taylor extended his hitting streak to 13 games in one of the few bright spots for the hosts.
The Phillies scored two runs in the first on a two-run single by Santana for a 2-0 lead. The third homer came in the ninth by Andrew Knapp off Justin Miller for a 12-2 lead.
Nationals rookie outfielder Juan Soto (1-for-4) hit fourth for the second straight game and the second time in his big league career but didn’t help much.
The Nationals will now have to rely on two young starting pitchers in the final two games of the series: Erick Fedde and Jefry Rodriguez.
Manager Dave Martinez told reporters before the game that starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (right hamstring strain) will make a rehab appearance for Single-A Potomac of the Carolina League on Sunday.
Stephen Strasburg (right shoulder inflammation), the other injured starting pitcher, played catch before the game Friday, according to reports.
NOTES: Congressman Brendan F. Boyle threw out the ceremonial first pitch … The Color Guard was presented by the United States Air Force Color Guard … The series continues Saturday at 4:05 p.m. with Washington right-hander Fedde (0-2, 5.63) going against Phillies standout Aaron Nola (8-2, 2.55). Both pitchers were drafted in the first round in 2014.
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