The Washington Nationals will look to avoid a four-game sweep by the host Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday after being outclassed in the first three games. Philadelphia has outscored the Nationals by a combined 21-6 in the series, including a 5-1 victory on Saturday. The Phillies have won eight of the nine meetings against Washington this season, including six straight.
Cristopher Sanchez recorded his second career complete game on Saturday to lead the Phillies, who have won four in a row. The Nationals lost their fourth straight and were held to two hits, including Alex Call's solo homer. "Our offense didn't show up," Washington manager Davey Martinez said.
"We couldn't get anything going. I know Sanchez mixed up his pitches. For the most part, he kept the ball down.
We just couldn't get anything going offensively." Washington starter MacKenzie Gore pitched well in the early innings on Saturday before the Phillies chased him in the sixth. "We're just getting our butt kicked right now, and it's not fun," Gore said.
"Just another day where I just wasn't good enough to win. I thought I did some things better, but we ended up giving up five runs. Did some things better, but still pretty frustrating.
" The matchup Sunday features a pair of right-handers as Washington's Jake Irvin (9-10, 3.72 ERA) faces Philadelphia's Taijuan Walker (3-4, 5.68).
Irvin is looking to build on a strong outing Tuesday, when he allowed two runs over six innings in a 9-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Th.