Phillies Erupt for Eight Runs in Ninth Inning to Stun Nationals 14-9
Phillies Erupt for Eight Runs in Ninth Inning to Stun Nationals 14-9
The Philadelphia Phillies engineered one of their most dramatic comebacks in recent memory on June 24, 2026, overcoming a five-run deficit to defeat the Washington Nationals 14-9 in a chaotic, lead-swapping contest that was ultimately decided by an eight-run ninth inning — all scored with two outs.
A Game of Momentum Swings
The Phillies (43-36) trailed 5-0 at the midpoint of the game before clawing back, seizing the lead in the eighth inning, surrendering it almost immediately, and then burying the Nationals (41-39) with a historic ninth-inning barrage to level their four-game series at one win apiece.
It marked only the ninth time in franchise history that Philadelphia scored eight or more runs in the ninth inning — and the first since September 27, 2015, also in Washington.
Luzardo Dominates but Cannot Hold
Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo delivered a performance as contradictory as the game itself. He equalled his career-high with 13 strikeouts across 6.2 innings, placing him among the National League’s strikeout leaders, yet surrendered five runs — the sixth time this season he has conceded that many.
The Nationals, without the injured Kyle Schwarber (sore back), deployed left-handed opener PJ Poulin to face the top of Philadelphia’s order before handing the ball to bulk reliever Zack Littel.
The Comeback Takes Shape
Philadelphia’s rally began in the fifth inning when Bryson Stott led off with a hit and scored on a two-run home run by Edmundo Sosa, his fifth of the season. Sosa added a fielder’s choice RBI in the seventh to cut the deficit to two.
The Phillies finally took the lead in the eighth, aided by a costly error from Nationals right fielder James Wood, who bobbled a Brandon Marsh drive into the gap. With the bases loaded and two outs, JT Realmuto stroked a fastball the opposite way, just beyond Wood’s outstretched glove, to clear the bases and give Philadelphia a 6-5 lead. Wood finished the night 0-for-5 at the plate.
Kerkering Implodes, Then Lord Collapses
Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering needed just eight pitches to undo that advantage. He walked the leadoff batter, hit the next on the first pitch, and then watched Jorbit Vivas deposit a three-run home run to restore Washington’s lead at 8-6.
The Nationals turned to Brad Lord — entering with a 2.29 ERA and All-Star consideration — to close out the ninth. He gave up a season-high six runs as Philadelphia sent 13 batters to the plate.
The Ninth Inning Demolition
Brandon Marsh tied the game with a two-run home run, his third hit of the night, finishing one triple shy of the cycle. Bryson Stott then launched a three-run shot that stayed just fair of the right field pole; he scored four runs on the night.
Edmundo Sosa capped his five-RBI performance with a double that scored Realmuto and Gabriel Rincones Jr., who tripled his season hit total with two in the game. Trea Turner added a second single of the inning to complete the scoring.
What’s Next
The Phillies will look to take the series lead on June 25, with Aaron Nola scheduled to face Miles Mikolas for Washington.
