PHILADELPHIA -- The Nationals have navigated what has been a difficult June while missing two-fifths of their starting rotation for the majority of the month. They took a step closer to getting back to full strength Saturday when right-hander Jeremy Hellickson returned to the mound after missing nearly four weeks with a strained right hamstring.
His first start back did not go as smoothly as his outings before the injury, when he posted a 2.28 ERA in nine starts. His rocky return, combined with a quiet night for the Nationals offense, led to their 3-2 loss to the Phillies on Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park.