The Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> pulled off something remarkable in Washington this week. Two nights. Two ninth\u2011inning deficits. Two wins. The Phillies’ consecutive comeback victories over the Washington Nationals<\/a> defied logic, probability, and the patience of every fan in Nationals Park.<\/p>\n Tuesday night unraveled quickly for Jes\u00fas Luzardo<\/a><\/strong>, who entered with one of the lowest road ERAs among qualified pitchers. The Phillies tagged him for five runs through four innings. Later, the Phillies took a 6\u20135 lead in the eighth. But Jorbit Vivas<\/a><\/strong> homered off Orion Kerkering<\/a><\/strong>, putting the Nationals ahead, 8\u20136.<\/p>\n Then came the ninth. Two outs. Nobody on. Trea Turner<\/a><\/strong> singled on a two\u2011strike pitch to extend the inning. Brandon Marsh<\/a><\/strong> followed with a two\u2011run homer \u2014 103.8 mph off the bat at a 28\u2011degree launch angle, traveling 399 feet \u2014 tying the game. Bryce Harper<\/a><\/strong> singled. Derek Hill<\/a><\/strong> singled. Then Bryson Stott<\/a><\/strong> delivered the decisive blow: a 403\u2011foot, three\u2011run homer at 104.4 mph exit velocity. The Phillies scored eight runs with two outs in the ninth, turning an 8\u20136 deficit into a 14\u20139 win.<\/p>\n Wednesday brought the same tension. Aaron Nola<\/a><\/strong> allowed two runs over five innings, but the Phillies trailed 4\u20133 entering the ninth. Kyle Schwarber<\/a><\/strong>, out of the starting lineup with lower\u2011back tightness, pinch\u2011hit with two outs and fought for a ten\u2011pitch walk against Orlando Ribalta<\/a><\/strong>. The Nationals turned to Richard Lovelady<\/a><\/strong> for the final out.<\/p>\n Manager Don Mattingly<\/a><\/strong> sent Hill to pinch\u2011hit. Down to his last strike, Hill launched a 99.5 mph, 30\u2011degree drive 381 feet over the wall in right-center. Two\u2011run homer. 5\u20134 Phillies. Jhoan Duran<\/a><\/strong> struck out the side in the ninth for his 19th save.<\/p>\n Two games. Two ninth\u2011inning comebacks. Both with two outs. Both down to their final strike. The Phillies\u2019 consecutive victories sent a message to the National League: this team does not quit. Mattingly, now 35\u201317 since taking over a 9\u201319 club, summarized it simply: \u201cThe game is never over.\u201d His players have turned that belief into reality.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nThe First Miracle: Eight Runs with Two Outs<\/strong><\/h4>\n
One Night Later: D\u00e9j\u00e0 Vu with a Different Hero<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Resilience Defines these Phillies<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Main Photo:<\/h4>\n