Middle of the lineup shines as Phillies complete sweep of Nationals

Final score: Phillies 11, Nationals 5

Say what you will about the Phillies’ schedule, but credit them for playing well enough to make it a hot topic of conversation in the first place. That trend — taking care of business against subpar opponents — shows no signs of slowing down, at least if this weekend is any measuring stick.

The Phillies cruised past the Nationals behind another strong day by Kody Clemens and the middle of the lineup, plus seven effective innings from Aaron Nola, finishing off a three-game sweep and moving to 20 games over .500.

The Nationals got to Nola for two homers in the first five innings and led in the middle of the fifth, but that’s when the offense flipped a switch. Nine runs across the next four innings turned a tight finale into a laugher.

Nola wasn’t his absolute sharpest, walking three and striking out just five. He did, though, allow just two hits and two earned runs. After the Phillies used six relievers Thursday against the Mets, each of their next three starters (Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez and Nola) provided seven innings.

Highlights

• The Phillies took a lead in the second on a one-out double by Clemens and ensuing RBI single by Nick Castellanos.

• With the Phillies ahead 2-0 in the fourth, Bryce Harper made a throwing error on a grounder that was pretty much right at Kody Clemens. Harper dove in front of him and his throw took Nola off the first-base bag. Eddie Rosario then tied it with a two-run homer.
• Jesse Winker homered in the fifth to put the Nats in front.
• But the bottom of that same inning is where things turned. After two walks and a single, Bohm hit a sacrifice fly before Clemens, who has done nothing but hit when he’s been in the big leagues this season, struck again with a two-run double.

• Castellanos followed with his second RBI single of the day.
• Harper broke it wide open in the sixth with a two-run double of his own.

• Alec Bohm took over the MLB RBI lead with a mammoth three-run homer in the eighth, putting the Phillies up eight.

• Seranthony Domínguez took down a scoreless eighth before Spencer Turnbull allowed two runs in the ninth and ended the ballgame.

Notes

• The No. 3-6 spots in the lineup went 9-for-17 with three doubles, a homer and all 11 Phillies RBIs.

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Tuesday, May 21 vs. Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park
• 6:40 p.m. EST
• NBC Sports Philadelphia
• 94 WIP, WTTM 1680

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