The Nationals are fighting for an 8-6 win against the Phillies: Daniel Murphy gets big with the third single of the night …

Pulling back 6-2 after five minutes, the Washington Nationals rallied for three points, including two at the end of the sixth inning, but Juan Soto scored a tying goal at second base.

After two consecutive starts with a draw in the seventh end, Nationals receiver Pedro Severino found himself in a double game at the end of the run, and it looked like the Nats were on their way to a third consecutive loss to the Phillies. from Philadelphia.

By the end of the eighth, however, things were finally going in the direction of Washington, with a lead of Brian Goodwin, and a brace of Bryce Harper to double the tie to 90 feet from home.

Phillies captain Gabe Kapler made a change of position from right-hander Victor Arano to closest Seranthony Dominguez and got grounded by Anthony Rendon, but after a basic intentional walk to Juan Soto, Daniel Murphy stepped in against Dominguez. Behind César Hernandez, in second place, is a double that allows Goodwin and Harper to qualify for the 7-6 national championships.

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Michael A. Taylor also stood out, to drive to Soto, and the Nats gave Sean Doolittle an 8-6 lead that he kept for victory and avoidance.

Kapler's decision to opt for Murphy at the expense of Soto? He shared his thoughts after the loss.

"Soto has been one of the most dangerous players in the league," said Kapler.

"Murphy comes out of injury, and somehow still getting back to Murphy, has struggled, and with Seranthony's fastball, it's not a fastball easy to catch up with.

"We thought that – and personally, I thought Soto was more dangerous in this situation.

"You pick your poison here, you have two very good hitters, the first at Soto was elite and Murphy struggled a bit, and we went after the struggling guy who had just been injured."

Nationals skipper Davey Martinez said he was surprised that the Phillies had decided to walk on Soto.

"I was pretty surprised, but that's why – Soto hits the left-handers … Murphy hits the left-handers … Murphy hits everyone, I mean, so they've had a decision to make, they'll bring them closer." and it worked in our favor. "

"Soto is hot." One of the best hitters in baseball, and it's a tough decision. "It's like playing chess, you really have to think about what you're going to do and they've chosen to go see Murphy. "

Martinez said that he was also a little surprised that Dominguez went with a two-slider slider to Murphy.

"I was a little surprised, when you throw 100mph, you never want to be beaten on your secondary field, and Murph, you know, as I said, being the professional hitter that I'm going to be. he is, he was able to stay on and hit a line "

Murphy's professionalism apparently extended to his preparation for the clash with Philly's right-winger.

"I was watching a movie about him and he was leaving with the slider as a lethal shot to some left-handers, so once I got there two shots, I knew about it," Murphy explained.

"I had not seen it yet," he says, "so it 's never fun, but fortunately I' ve been able to have it in the air enough and pick it up on Caesar's head at second goal. "

Martinez was asked if a night like Murphy had, 3 for 4 with three singles, could help him get started after a slow start while he was trying to get up after missing 65 games while that. he was recovering from knee surgery.

"As I've already said, it's just a matter of time," says Martinez, "it's all his timing, putting his legs under him." I've already spoken to him. part of his spring training, and he will start to get it, and tonight was a perfect example. He hit the ball very well. "

"I think it's better," Murphy said of his timing at the plate. "I would not say it's perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but I feel a little more comfortable every day."