It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but the Phillies managed to squeak past the Washington Nationals, 5-3, on Thursday afternoon to take their second straight series win before they head on a nine-game road trip to St. Louis, Toronto, and Miami. The Phillies are now 44-39 and, if the Cardinals lose on Thursday night, they could have a one-game lead over St. Louis in the wild-card standings.
Falter does enough
Bailey Falter didn’t have a stellar outing, but he did just enough to keep a win within reach for his team. Falter went four innings and allowed six hits, two earned runs, one walk, and struck out six. He ran into trouble early — allowing two singles, a walk, a hit-by-pitch and a run in the first inning, and three hits and a run in the second inning — but settled in for the third and fourth innings.
