Jayson Werth’s Two-Out, Two-Run Single In Ninth Leads Nationals Past Phillies 5-4

Jayson Werth delivered a stunning two-out, two-run walk-off single in the ninth inning to lead the Washington Nationals to a 5-4 home victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday afternoon.

Jayson Werth’s Two-Out, Two-Run Single In Ninth Leads Nationals Past Phillies 5-4

The Nationals (39-24), who won all three games of their series against the Phillies, are now 15 games over .500 and first in the National League East, 4 1/2 games ahead of the New York Mets.

Washington opened up a three-run lead in the first two innings. Michael A. Taylor, who started for the second consecutive day, singled to lead off the game. Werth and Daniel Murphy walked behind him. Ryan Zimmerman and Wilson Ramos then hit sacrifice flies. One inning later, Danny Espinosa scored his third homer in the last four games and 11th of the season. Espinosa is tied with Murphy for second among Nationals in scoring this season– Bryce Harper leads with 13.

The Nationals trailed 4-3 when they rallied to score two runs in the bottom of the ninth off closer Jeanmar Gomez. After Harper and Espinosa reached on singles and Clint Robinson walked to load the bases, Werth drove a 2-2 pitch up the middle, scoring Harper and Espinosa. Werth’s teammates chased him into the outfield in celebration, and the outfielder was then doused with Gatorade twice.

“As a kid, you always want that last at-bat because you can walk off. You are just glad it didn’t happen on the road,” manager Dusty Baker said of the 37-year-old Werth. “No matter what he is doing or how he is playing, he has been a clutch man all these years. A clutch man knows how to come through.”

At first, it seemed as if the Phillies had won when Maikel Franco’s homer in the top of the ninth gave them a 4-3 lead. Franco’s solo shot came off closer Jonathan Papelbon on a 2-2 pitch that Franco hit into the left-field stands. However, Werth stepped in to save the day for the Nationals.

“My opinion, most major league baseball players should hit that ball out,” Papelbon said. “It was a very poorly executed pitch.”

Papelbon came on after lefty Sammy Solis threw a scoreless eighth.

“You live for those moments,” the veteran outfielder said. “You grew up playing Wiffle ball in the backyard. You always run through those situations. I’ve been lucky to get those chances during my career. I want to win, I want to help my teammates win and be part of a championship team. Whatever I can do.”

Right-hander Joe Ross, 23, allowed three runs in seven strong innings, struck out eight, and did not walk a batter for the first time all season, although he did allow Philadelphia to tie the game in the sixth. Cody Asche started the scoring with a fifth-inning home run, and Freddy Galvis tied the game with an RBI single.

“We’ve got to get our offense going,” Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. “Good to see Franco bust out, but the rest of the guys have to give us consistent at-bats.”

After Harper reached base in the ninth, the Phillies challenged the call and claimed he was out on a close play. Following a review, the call stood and Harper would later score on the single from Werth.

The Nationals will next host the Chicago Cubs (43-18) on Monday night, while the Phillies (29-34, 4th in NL East) will visit the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday evening as well.

PHOTO: WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: Jayson Werth #28 of the Washington Nationals drives in the game winning runs with a single in the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on June 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. Washington won the game 5-4. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)