Phillies drop game three to the Nationals in extras, but win series

WP: Aaron Barrett (1-0, 0.00 ERA) LP: Jake Diekman (0-1, 3.50 ERA) SV: Drew Storen (2)

The Washington Nationals, for the third game in a row, struck first. Bryce Harper went to the opposite field in his first encounter with Sean O' Sullivan for his second home run of the season. After a couple of quiet innings, the Nationals then squeezed out a second run by a Wilson Ramos sacrifice fly in the fourth inning, scoring Ryan Zimmerman. The score was then 2-0 with the Nationals up.

After a quick top of the fifth inning, the Phillies showed some bite at the bottom of the lineup. Pitcher Sean O' Sullivan drew a walk from a full count, which was followed by a Ben Revere single. With first and second occupied and two outs, Cody Asche hit his second single of the night, scoring O'Sullivan. With runners at second and third, Ryan Howard struck out swinging to end the inning. The score was 2-1, Nationals still with the lead.

The seventh inning turned out to be an eventful one. In the top of the inning, relief pitcher Luis Garcia, replaced O'Sullivan. Garcia began the inning quick, until Michael Taylor walked with two outs, only to be caught in a run down trying to steal second base. In the bottom of the seventh, pinch hitter Darin Ruf led off the inning with a solo shot to left center, tying the game in a knot. The Phillies and the Nationals were set to battle out another game in extra innings.

In the top of the tenth, Yunel Escobar doubled to right field to lead off the inning against left hander, Jake Diekman. Next, Bryce Harper moved Escobar over to third with a ground ball, causing Justin De Fratus to replace Diekman with a man on third, one out, and Ryan Zimmerman due up. With Zimmerman batting, De Fratus threw a wild pitch, which allowed Escobar to score the go-ahead run.

With the score 3-2, Zimmerman grounded out for the second out in the inning. Zimmerman was originally called safe, but then the play was reversed after a review. With two outs, left fielder Clint Robinson hit a double to center, and would score on a Wilson Ramos single to left field.

Going into the bottom of the tenth with a 4-2 ball game, the Nationals bring in Drew Storen to attempt his second save of the season. Storen began the inning by walking Freddy Galvis and Asche, putting runners on first and second with no outs. After Grady Sizemore struck out swinging for the first out, Chase Utley was called in to pinch hit for Jeff Francoeur. Utley flied out for the second out, leaving the Phillies with one out to pull out the sweep.

With two outs and runners on first and third, last night's hero Odubel Herrera stepped up to the plate. Herrera hit a tapper up the line to third baseman Escobar, which would score Galvis, changing the score to 4-3, and runners on first and second. With two outs, Cesar Hernandez grounded out on an 0-0 count to end the game. The Nationals won 4-3.

With the first two series of the 2015 season in the books, the Phils will now head to Citi Field to challenge the Mets starting Monday afternoon. RHP Aaron Harang will oppose National League Rookie of the Year, Jacob deGrom.