Phillies 12, Nationals 5
WASHINGTON -- Shortstop Andres Blanco hit a two-run homer off Jonathan Papelbon with one out in the top of the ninth to break a tie as the Philadelphia Phillies, with eight runs in the ninth, beat the Washington Nationals 12-5 on Sunday.
The Phillies later added a run in the ninth on an error by Washington second baseman Anthony Rendon, two-run singles by catcher Cameron Rupp and shortstop Freddy Galvis and an RBI single by Blanco, who had three this and three RBIs.
To make matters worse for Washington, television cameras showed Papelbon and teammate and MVP candidate Bryce Harper getting into scuffle in the dugout in the eighth inning. Harper did not take the field for the top of the ninth as Papelbon gave up the go-ahead runs.
With the win, the Phillies (59-97) ended the year 26-55 on the road while Washington (79-76) lost at home for the ninth time in 13 games as home fans booed Papelbon when he was pulled in the ninth.
Phillies right fielder Jeff Francoeur had his third hit, a two-run homer down the left field line, to tie the game at 4 in the eighth off Casey Janssen.
Washington backup catcher Jose Lobaton hit a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh and seldom-used infielder Dan Uggla followed with a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to make it 4-2. Shortstop Ian Desmond and left fielder Matt den Dekker (four hits), also getting a rare start, began the seventh with singles. Lobaton then sliced a double down the left field line for just his 19th RBI of the year while Uggla drove in his 15th run in 116 official at-bats.
Desmond (three hits), a pending free agent, was removed in the top of the ninth as rookie Trea Turner came in to play shortstop. Desmond, perhaps in his last home game with the Nationals, came off the field to applause and he tipped his cap to the fans from the dugout.
Papelbon clapped for Desmond as he left the field -- then minutes later the new Washington closer gave up the homer to Blanco.
Turner later made an error in the ninth -- a sign of a season of frustration for the Nationals.
The winning pitcher was Dalier Hinojosa (2-0) while Papelbon (4-3) was tagged with the loss.
Philadelphia tied the game at 2 in the sixth with bases loaded walks by center fielder Aaron Altherr and left fielder Darin Ruff off starter Gio Gonzalez.
The Nationals took a 2-0 lead in the second on back-to-back homers by Desmond and den Dekker against Phillies starter Aaron Harang.
Gonzalez, the Washington starter, allowed no runs and just three hits in the first five innings before the Phillies got on the board in the sixth.
The lefty did not retire the first five batters in the sixth and left having allowed two runs on six hits. Harang allowed two runs on five hits in six innings. Both starting pitchers threw 89 pitches, with 55 strikes. Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis had three hits.
NOTES: With the Nationals eliminated from postseason play on Saturday, OF Matt den Dekker got the start in left field over Jayson Werth. A former Mets OF, den Dekker entered Sunday with an average of .215 in 79 at-bats in his first year with Washington. ... The Nationals will play a makeup game Monday against the Reds at home in the regular-season finale at Nationals Park. RHP Max Scherzer (12-12, 2.98) will face Cincinnati LHP Brandon Finnegan (4-1, 3.65). ... The Phillies are off Monday and will face the division champion New York Mets on Tuesday, with LHP Jonathan Niese (9-10, 4.16) going for the visiting Mets against RHP David Buchanan (2-9, 7.96). ... Washington OF Bryce Harper entered Sunday leading the National League in hitting (.339), on-base average (.470) and homers (41).