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Phillies fall to Scherzer and the Nationals

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Matt Breen, Inquirer Staff Writer

WASHINGTON - Odubel Herrera flinched as the baseball ricocheted off the wall and flew past. The centerfielder had chased Ian Desmond's fly ball too far in the sixth inning of Friday's 2-1 loss to Washington. Now it was too late.

The ball bounced away and into the Nationals Park outfield. It was eventually plucked by Grady Sizemore and relayed home. Herrera's gaffe allowed Washington pitcher Max Scherzer just enough time to score from first base. The pitcher even stumbled around third.

A matchup with the division's top team allowed a thin margin of error.