Alec Bohm’s Return Homer Lifts Phillies as Nola Stumbles

The Philadelphia Phillies wrapped up a wild four-game series in Washington on Sunday with an 11-9 win over the Nationals. They managed to salvage a split and capped a 6-4 road trip in the process.

This win really showed off the team’s resilience. They battled through injuries, a rough start from their ace, and a late Nationals rally, all while putting up plenty of offense—thanks mostly to Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos.

Now, the Phillies head back to Citizens Bank Park for a six-game homestand. Let’s see if they can keep this momentum rolling.

Phillies Jump Out to a Strong Start

The Phillies wasted no time flexing their offensive muscle. Alec Bohm returned from a rib injury and jumped right in, going 2-for-4 and smashing a three-run homer in the second inning.

That blast helped the Phillies build a 6-0 lead. It was exactly the start they needed with Aaron Nola back on the mound for the first time since mid-May.

Unfortunately, that optimism didn’t last long.

Nola’s Troubles in His Return

Nola’s much-anticipated comeback was rocky. He lasted just 2⅓ innings and gave up six runs on seven hits.

His third inning unraveled fast, letting the Nationals put up five runs and nearly erase the Phillies’ lead. That forced an early call to the bullpen.

Stabilizing the Game in the Middle Innings

The bullpen stepped up big time on Sunday. Tanner Banks, Joe Ross, and Matt Strahm teamed up to keep Washington quiet through the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings.

That gave the Phillies a chance to rebuild their cushion.

Offensive Contributions Beyond Bohm

Bohm’s homer got the headlines early, but he wasn’t the only one swinging a hot bat. Nick Castellanos snapped out of his slump with a ground-rule double, then launched a solo home run.

Weston Wilson chipped in with a clutch two-RBI single to stretch the lead. The Phillies also took advantage of some wild pitching by Washington in the late innings.

Those timely hits and patient at-bats helped the Phillies carry a solid lead into the ninth. They’d need every bit of it.

Closing the Door

The late drama came from Paul DeJong, who clubbed a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth. Suddenly, the game was up for grabs again.

Closer Jhoan Duran wasn’t about to let it slip. With the tying run at the plate and Washington’s top prospect James Wood digging in, Duran fired a 101.6 mph fastball for the final strikeout.

Manager Rob Thomson Applauds Team Resilience

Afterward, Phillies manager Rob Thomson praised his club’s fight. He pointed out the injuries, packed travel, and weather delays they’ve dealt with over the past 10 days.

Despite all that, they finished the trip with a winning record and now turn their attention to the homestand.

Key Takeaways from the Win

• Alec Bohm’s healthy return — His bat brings a big boost to the middle of the lineup.
• Nick Castellanos heating up — Getting hot now could be huge for the Phillies’ offense.
• Bullpen depth on display — Solid relief work bridged the gap after Nola’s early exit.
• Clutch closing from Jhoan Duran — That high-octane fastball shut down the Nationals’ last push.

Looking Ahead

The Phillies head back to Philadelphia for a six-game homestand. It’s a stretch that’s going to test just how steady they can be as the postseason race heats up.

Bohm’s bat is back in the lineup. Castellanos looks like he might finally be waking up at the plate.

There’s hope the offense can ride this momentum a bit, even if the pitching staff still feels shaky. Maybe that’s all they need right now.

—

If you want, I can also provide an **SEO keyword list** based on this post to help you rank higher in searches. Would you like me to do that?
 
Here is the source article for this story: Bohm homers in return, Nola struggles, Phillies salvage split vs. Nationals