A Bryce Harper homer in the top of the 10th put the Nats on top, but Jonathan Papelbon couldn’t close out the Philadelphia Phillies in a 3-2 loss on Sunday.
The loss ends a seven-game winning streak for Washington (9-2).
Harper’s homer, his sixth of the season, put the Nationals on top, 2-1. Papelbon (0-1, 4.76 ERA) gave up a one-out double to Peter Bourjos, and after pinch-hitter Cedric Houston popped up to center for the second out, Andres Blanco singled to left, allowing Bourjos to score just ahead of a throw to the plate by left fielder Jayson Werth.
Freddy Galvis blasted a 1-2 pitch over Werth’s head in deep left to score Blanco with the winning run.
Gio Gonzalez had a solid start for Washington, giving up a run on four hits in seven innings, striking out eight and walking two.