 and caught by Harper in right. Turner reached on an infield single and moved to third on Adam Eaton's double.''I've said this all year long and I'll keep saying it: For me, Rendon is the MVP,'' manager Dave Martinez said. ''What he means to this organization, this city, our lineup, is tremendous. He's earned all the accolades he's going to get.'' Tanner Rainey (2-3) struck out two in a 1-2-3 sixth, and Daniel Hudson threw a perfect ninth for his fourth save in six chances with Washington.The day game was a makeup of a June 18 rainout. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was scheduled to start the night game for Washington and Aaron Nola for Philadelphia.Martinez gave his strongest indication yet that Scherzer would start Game 163 if the Nationals do, indeed, qualify for the wild-card playoff on Oct. 1.''If you look at the schedule right now, that's Max's day,'' Martinez said, ''and he's one of the best.'' The Phillies, meanwhile, were left pondering a wasted season and thinking ahead to what might come next.''Obviously, it's disappointing,'' first baseman Rhys Hoskins said. ''You set out at the beginning of the year, the beginning of the offseason, spring training, whatever it may be, with the goal in mind, right? And obviously we've come up short this year.'' Asked about his future as the skipper, Kapler replied: ''There's going to be plenty of opportunity to reflect. I love this organization. I love this team, specifically. I love working for this front office. I love working for this ownership group. I'm going to manage this club as long as I can, because I think I give us a great chance to win and I care deeply about the success of this franchise.'' BYE-BYE, BRADPhillies LF Brad Miller was ejected for arguing after striking out in the sixth.TRAINER'S ROOMPhillies: RHP Juan Nicasio (rotator cuff tendinitis) was activated from the 10-day injured list after being out for a month.Nationals: C Kurt Suzuki (right elbow) was not going to start either game Tuesday because Martinez wants to let him take it easy in the hopes of having him available for the playoffs. ''He's about 70-75 percent right now, and he's progressing, so I'd rather not push the envelope right now and just get him ready,'' Martinez said. ''Hopefully by Friday or Saturday, he'll be ready to catch.'' UP NEXTWashington RHP Anibal Sanchez (10-8, 3.91 ERA) pitches against LHP Drew Smyly (4-7, 6.44) on Wednesday.---Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HowardFendrich---More MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports)
Nats go for playoff berth; Phillies fight to stay aliveFLMThe Washington Nationals have a chance to clinch a playoff berth after a one-year absence -- and eliminate the Philadelphia Phillies at the same time.The Nationals (86-69) and Phillies (79-76) will meet for a day-night doubleheader in Washington on Tuesday, the day game serving as a makeup of a contest rained out on June 18.Washington, which reduced its magic number to three with a 6-1 win in the series opener Monday night, leads the Milwaukee Brewers by a half-game for the top wild-card spot -- and home field for the one-and-done playoff game. A doubleheader sweep paired with a Chicago Cubs loss at Pittsburgh would seal a playoff berth for the Nationals."Let's just take care of tomorrow," Nationals manager Dave Martinez told MASN.com after the Monday victory. "Just win the first game and go from there. It's been that same message almost the whole year: 'Let's go 1-0,' you know. That's how we got to this point. I don't want them to think too far ahead." The Nationals will send out right-hander Joe Ross (3-4, 6.17 ERA) in the day game and ace right-hander Max Scherzer (10-7, 2.81) for the nightcap.The Phillies will use right-handed reliever Blake Parker (3-2, 4.40) as the opener in Game 1 while right-hander Aaron Nola (12-6, 3.75) is expected to start Game 2 as Philadelphia faces elimination with a loss.The Nationals have won five straight against the Phillies at Nationals Park.Ross hasn't pitched since Sept. 2 due to a forearm injury. He made five starts in August, going 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA as Washington won all five. He is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA in five games (three starts) in his career versus the Phillies.Scherzer is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA since returning from the injured list Aug. 22 after missing nearly a month with a strained back.Last time out, he was charged with five runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings of a 5-1 loss in St. Louis on Wednesday, but he deserved a better fate. He allowed two run over the first six innings, but left fielder Juan Soto lost a seventh-inning fly ball in the sun, and it fell for a double. St. Louis ultimately added three more runs, two on a homer by former Nationals catcher Matt Wieters.Scherzer struck out 11 Cardinals."It comes down to the little stuff," Scherzer said after the game. "It doesn't matter how good the big stuff is. Everybody can execute the big stuff at this point. It comes down to the fine details, and that's what kind of did me in." Scherzer is 10-3 with a 2.45 ERA in 19 starts against Philadelphia.Nola hasn't won since Aug. 20. His last time out, he gave up five runs on nine hits -- including two homers -- in five innings of a 5-4 loss to the Braves in Atlanta on Thursday."I'm not going out there to try to lose," Nola said. "I'm going out there and trying to compete. You know, I'm leaving balls over the plate and guys are taking good swings on it." Nola is 4-5 with a 4.02 ERA over 18 all-time starts vs. Washington. He has allowed 12 runs (11 earned) in 15 1/3 innings against the Nationals this season.The Nationals had some good swings early in Monday night's game as Adam Eaton, Yan Gomes and Trea Turner hit solo homers, one in each of the first three innings, against losing pitcher Zach Eflin.Anthony Rendon drove in his 121st and 122nd runs of the season.Patrick Corbin turned in six one-run innings for Washington.--Field Level Media
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