Bohm and Realmuto Shine in Extra Innings, Lifting Phillies to 7-3 Victory Over Nationals

Alec Bohm broke a tie with a two-run double in the 10th inning, and J.T. Realmuto followed with a two-run triple, lifting the Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-3 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday.

The win marked a successful start to the Phillies' defense of their NL East title.

Zack Wheeler was strong for Philadelphia, going six innings and allowing just two hits and one run.

The lone run came in the fifth inning when Keibert Ruiz hit a solo home run to put Washington up 1-0.

Wheeler was in control for much of the game, striking out several batters and keeping the Nationals’ offense in check.

Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore also impressed, recording a career-high 13 strikeouts and allowing just one hit in six shutout innings.

Gore’s 13 strikeouts were the most for a Nationals pitcher on Opening Day, surpassing Max Scherzer’s 12 strikeouts in 2019.

Despite his strong outing, the game remained tied at 1-1 until the seventh inning.

Bryce Harper, who was greeted with boos throughout the game after leaving Washington for Philadelphia, struck out in the first and fourth innings but made his mark in the seventh.

He blasted a 96 mph fastball from Lucas Sims 415 feet to straightaway center, tying the game at 1-1.

It was a pivotal moment in the game, especially given the boos Harper had faced.

Two batters later, former Nationals teammate Kyle Schwarber followed with his own homer off reliever Jose Ferrer, putting the Phillies ahead 2-1.

The Phillies’ lead grew to 3-1 in the eighth inning, but Washington quickly responded in the bottom half to tie the game at 3-3 off reliever Jordan Romano.

The game then went to extra innings, where the Phillies took control.

In the 10th, Bohm’s two-run double off Colin Poche put the Phillies ahead, and Realmuto followed with a two-run triple off Eduardo Salazar, extending the lead to 7-3.

The Nationals couldn’t recover, and the Phillies secured the win.

On Saturday, Washington will send RHP Jake Irvin (10-14, 4.41 ERA in 2024) to the mound, while the Phillies will turn to LHP Jesús Luzardo (3-6, 5.00 ERA with Miami) for his debut with the team.