PHILADELPHIA — The Washington Nationals defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 on May 1, 2025, at Citizens Bank Park, halting a three-game losing streak and avoiding a series sweep. Rookie pitcher Brad Lord earned his first major league win, and Luis Garcia Jr. drove in a crucial run while stealing home in a decisive sixth inning. The Nationals (14-18, fourth in NL East) outmaneuvered the Phillies (17-14, second in NL East) before 37,069 fans in a 2-hour, 26-minute game under cloudy 75-degree skies.
The Nationals erupted for four runs in the sixth, capitalizing on Phillies’ miscues. CJ Abrams doubled, and Nathaniel Lowe’s single tied the game at 1-1. A fielding error by Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper allowed Lowe to score, putting Washington ahead 2-1. Garcia singled, driving in Keibert Ruiz, and stole second and home during Dylan Crews’ at-bat, extending the lead to 4-1. “A 4-run 6th inning helps the @Nationals end a 3-game skid,” MLB posted on X.
Lord (1-3, 4.43 ERA) pitched five innings, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out four, and walking one. Jose A. Ferrer struck out three in two scoreless relief innings, and Kyle Finnegan secured his 10th save, despite Johan Rojas’ ninth-inning triple. “Rookie right Brad Lord, with the help of 12 outs from the bullpen, earned his first Major League win,” broadcaster Charlie Slowes noted on X.
The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the fifth when Alec Bohm’s single scored Max Kepler, who had doubled. They added a run in the sixth on Nick Castellanos’ single, scoring Trea Turner, but couldn’t close the gap. Taijuan Walker (1-3, 2.54 ERA) took the loss, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits over 5.2 innings, with three walks and two strikeouts. A Harper error and a passed ball by catcher Rafael Marchan aided Washington’s rally.
Garcia shone, going 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and two stolen bases, including the rare steal of home. Abrams and Lowe each contributed an RBI, with Lowe’s single proving pivotal. Turner led Philadelphia with three hits, but the Phillies left seven runners on base and hit into two double plays. “Trea Turner had three hits for Philadelphia, which had won four straight,” ESPN reported.
The Nationals’ base-running aggression, including three stolen bases, and solid pitching overwhelmed the Phillies, who struggled with runners in scoring position (2-for-9). Washington’s defense turned two double plays, stifling Philadelphia’s offense. The game, umpired by Brock Ballou and crew, saw a brief injury delay in the sixth but proceeded smoothly.
This victory provides momentum for the Nationals as they head to Cincinnati for a three-game series starting May 2, with Mitchell Parker (3-1, 2.65 ERA) facing Hunter Greene. The Phillies, now 17-14, host Arizona next, with Jesus Luzardo (3-0, 1.73 ERA) pitching.
