The Phillies have been playing without an offense, to the point that in game two of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Nationals, they were in danger of losing their fourth straight home game. And soon enough, they were losing it.
The Nationals, facing Jake Arrieta and Gabe Kapler armed with 15 relievers, got to work in the second, when Arrieta issued a free pass to Anthony Rendon and the next batter, Juan Soto, drove him in for early 1-0 lead. In the top of the fourth, Soto decided he wasn’t done with Arrieta yet and knocked a two-run shot that made it 3-0.