WASHINGTON — Gabe Kapler dug into his bullpen Sunday night, trying to find the right “dude” to record the five outs the Phillies needed to complete a sweep of the Nationals.
Bryce Harper waited on deck and the Phillies were ahead by a run in the eighth inning. A day earlier, the manager rolled with Adam Morgan in the eighth to retire Harper. Kapler warmed up Morgan on Sunday but instead called on Seranthony Dominguez, his most trusted arm in the pen.
But Dominguez cracked on Sunday. Harper greeted the rookie with a double to right field and the seeds off an 8-6 Phillies loss were planted.