For Phillies, 'writing is on the wall' after losing game to Nationals, ace to IL - USA Today

WASHINGTON — Their day began with one of their All-Star left-handers, Jesus Luzardo, arguably the game's best pitcher in the second half of the season, going on the injured list with a sore shoulder, complicating their playoff drive and imperiling their chances if they get there.

Their day ended with their other All-Star left-hander, Cristopher Sánchez, arguably the game's best pitcher the first half of the season, getting hit hard for the third time in his past five outings, casting doubt on whether he'll be the lockdown ace they'll need to advance past the NL Division Series for the first time since 2023.

And the final indignity for the Philadelphia Phillies on this Tuesday, Sept. 15 was delivered by set-up man Jonathan Bowlan, who relieved Sanchez in a tie game and needed just one pitch — a changeup that Daylen Lile went down and crushed over the center field wall — to deepen the Phillies' misery.

Lile's three-run homer in the seventh inning provided a 6-3 victory for the Washington Nationals in a game the Phillies desperately needed — partly because they continue slipping within the pantheon of NL playoff teams, and mostly because they've played terribly since the last time Luzardo threw a pitch.

That came on Sept. 7, Labor Day, when Luzardo tossed a 109-pitch, two-hit shutout against the first-place Atlanta Braves. Luzardo woke up with a bum shoulder a couple days later and the Phillies have lost five of seven since, their lineup returning to its inactive ways, their rotation withering and their leverage relievers crumbling.

Now, the logistics: The Phillies (83-68) are essentially in a three-way tie for the three NL wild-card spots, as the Chicago Cubs also have 68 losses and the San Diego Padres (82-69) are just a game behind. The NL East? Forget about it: Atlanta has a six-game lead with 10 to play.

Going home for the winter? That's suddenly a distinct possibility, with the Arizona Diamondbacks within 2 1/2 games of the wild card scrum.

For a team that went 21-7 in August, that was within three games of first place just six days ago, it is a stunning position, one that adds a dash of urgency to this final sprint.

"It’s going to be a grind. There’s no doubt about it. It’s not like (the playoffs are) guaranteed," says designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, who hit his 45th home run on Tuesday. "We gotta go out and win ballgames. We knew we had the group capable of being the team that can hold up a trophy at the end of the year. We know that.

"But we also have to go out and win games. I think the writing’s on the wall. We have to show up and be ready to go tomorrow. It’s only going to keep shortening up the season."

They will hand the ball to Zack Wheeler, who along with Luzardo and Sánchez figures to earn votes on NL Cy Young Award ballots. But Sánchez's arrow continues pointing down.

Tuesday, he gave up eight hits and five earned runs to the Nationals, the third time in five starts he's given up at least eight hits and four earned runs. His ERA, which was 2.61 on Aug. 1, is now up to 2.93.

The Nationals noshed on his sinker, going 4-for-14 against the pitch with seven hard-hit balls. When he's not commanding that pitch, it neuters the effectiveness of his slider and his putaway pitch, the changeup.

"I’m missing. And I’m failing in some sorts and I don’t want to do that but I just have to take it," says Sanchez. "It’s part of the game. When you’re rolling and doing good, you don’t notice it as much. One thing that’s certain is I’m going to work on getting better and I want to get better.

"When everythng’s right, everything’s much easier. It looks smoother and better on the field."

The Phillies' task got much harder when Luzardo came to Nationals Park for treatment Monday, came back Tuesday and the club decided to cancel his throwing session and put him on the IL. It's a significant blow: Luzardo is 14-5 with a 2.87 ERA, ranks second in the NL with 221 strikeouts and fourth with a 1.08 WHIP.

Since June 23, he's 8-1 with a 1.65 ERA and the Phillies have won 12 of his 14 starts.

"We just have to keep going. Keep going and keep working," says Sanchez. "He’ll be fine and he’ll be back for us. We just have to pick him up and try to win games."

Lately, that's been much easier said than done.