Joe Ross gave up a run on five hits in four innings, and then five Washington Nationals relievers closed out Philadelphia with five perfect innings, as the Nats dispatched the Phillies, 4-1, in the first game of a Tuesday doubleheader.
The loss eliminates Philadelphia (79-77) from NL wild-card contention.
Washington (87-69) now has a one-game lead on Milwaukee (86-70) for the top spot in the wild-card race with six games to play.
Anthony Rendon had two sac-fly RBIs, giving him an MLB-leading 124 for the season.
The second game has a scheduled 7:05 p.m. start. Max Scherzer (10-7, 2.81 ERA) gets the ball for Washington, and will face Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola (12-6, 3.75 ERA).
Story by Chris Graham
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Chris Graham
