Washington Nationals Blow Lead, Fall 6-5 vs. Phillies in Extras

The Washington Nationals nearly won consecutive series, but a walk-off in extra inning lifted the Philadelphia Phillies to a 6-5 win on Wednesday afternoon to move to 3-3 ahead of Friday's home opener. Cade Cavalli made his second start of the season, posting three strikeouts while allowing two walks and five hits in six innings, leaving the game with the Nationals ahead, 2-1. Philadelphia opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning after Trea Turner walked then stole second, setting Kyle Schwarber for the RBI double into right field.

But the Nationals would answer in the top of the second inning in what proved to be a weird play after Drew Millas struck out swinging, but a ball lost in the dirt led to a flurry being the Phillies check the runner at first, leading to Joey Wiemer to cross the plate to tie the game at one. Three scoreless innings later, consecutive singles brought in the Nationals second run after Jacob Young reached first then stole second before Millas brought him in. But the highlight would come in the seventh inning after CJ Abrams blasted a three run home run over the right field wall, bringing in Daylen Lile and Joey Wiemer, two at bats after Lile's hustle overturned a called out at first base.

👽🖖🏼 CJ Abrams blasts a 391 foot three-run HR over the right field fall. #Nationals now ahead, 5-1 pic. twitter.

com/g1Y0gKg5qo — Nationals on Roundtable (@NatsRoundtable) April 1, 2026 Philadelphia answered with a pair of solo home runs, including Bryce Harper's 425 blast into centerfield to open the bottom of the eighth inning, but it wouldn't be enough - at least at the time. The Phillies would threaten in the bottom of the ninth with Clayton Beeter first on the mound, but a single given up to Trea Turner led to PJ Poulin to replace him despite throwing the first inning of Tuesday's loss. A walk to Kyle Schwarber gave Bryce Harper a chance to drive in the game-winning run, but a pop out ended the first threat.