PHILADELPHIA -- Defensive lapses cost the Phillies another shot at gaining ground in the National League East standings, as they dropped the series opener to the Nationals, 5-3, at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night.
Starting pitcher Zach Eflin mishandled a bases-loaded bunt from Nats starter Stephen Strasburg in the fourth, flipping it over the reach of catcher Wilson Ramos trying to get a forceout at home plate. That same inning, Rhys Hoskins retreated on a fly ball to left field only to watch it drop in front of him for a single.