The Phillies outslugged the Nationals in a wild 11-9 shootout Sunday morning, surviving a back-and-forth battle that saw both starting pitchers chased early. Philadelphia's offense erupted for six runs in the first two innings, with Alec Bohm (3 RBI, including a homer) and Trea Turner (3 runs, 2 RBI) leading the charge against Washington's shaky bullpen. But the Nationals refused to fold, rallying behind Luis Garcia Jr. (3 hits, 2 runs) and Paul DeJong's three-run homer to keep the pressure on until the final out.

After Aaron Nola lasted just 2.1 innings—giving up six runs—the Phillies' bullpen barely held on, with Jhoan Duran striking out the final batter to preserve the win. The victory keeps Philadelphia's playoff push on track, while Washington's late-season struggles continue despite their resilient offense. Both teams combined for 20 runs on 28 hits in a game that felt more like a batting practice session than a pitcher's duel.

Baseball's most intense division rivalry reignites this Sunday when the Philadelphia Phillies march into the nation's capital to face the Washington Nationals in an 11:35 AM showdown that could set the tone for the NL East stretch run. The Phillies, fresh off their 2024 playoff push, will look to assert their dominance early in the 2025 campaign against a Nationals squad that's quietly building momentum under new leadership. Every pitch in this series carries extra weight—these teams split their 2024 season series 9-9, with five games decided by one run, proving that when Philadelphia and Washington collide, fireworks are guaranteed.

What makes this August matchup particularly electric is the contrast in styles: Philadelphia's power-heavy lineup against Washington's emerging young arms. The Phillies will aim to exploit any early-season defensive lapses from the Nationals, while Washington's pitchers will test whether Philadelphia's offense can maintain its 2024 consistency. With both teams eyeing October baseball, this Sunday morning duel isn't just about bragging rights—it's about sending a message to the division that 2025 will be their year to rise.