Just when you think you've witnessed the Phillies' worst loss of the season, a defeat so sudden that things couldn't possibly get more demoralizing, they manage to one-up it. But even in a season filled with such crushing losses — gut punches, as manager Gabe Kapler often calls them — Tuesday night's 5-4 setback against the Nationals might just be the topper.
Not only did the Phillies waste Aaron Nola's latest gem (more on him later), but they also committed two more costly errors that led to runs, fumbled a one-run lead in the top of the ninth inning, and made the final out of the game at third base on an appeal play after a pinch-running pitcher tagged up too soon.