Soto and Suzuki lift Fedde early (Nationals win 7-4)

Following a 30-minute rain delay, the Nationals did a nice job of making Phillies right-hander Nick Pivetta work in the first two frames.

Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto doubled in the first to make it 1-0. Soto was tagged out at third base when the ball got away momentarily on the relay in from left fielder Jay Bruce. Pivetta threw to Maikel Franco at third to tag out Soto.

Following a Howie Kendrick single to lead off the bottom of the second inning, Kurt Suzuki lined a two-run shot over the left field wall to up the lead to 3-0. It was Suzuki's eighth homer of the season.

The Nationals defense helped right-hander Erick Fedde. With Scott Kingery at second base and two away, Pivetta singled deep to shortstop in the second inning. Trea Turner saw Kingery round third and break for the plate, so he threw home. Suzuki tagged Kingery out to end the inning.

After three innings, the Nationals lead the Phillies 3-0.

Update: Fedde struggled with his control again in the fourth. He allowed back-to-back singled to César Hernández and Franco. Bryce Harper's RBI single cut the Nats lead to 2-1. After walking Rhys Hoskins with two outs, Fedde was replaced by left-hander Matt Grace. Jay Bruce singled to right field to score Franco. Adam Eaton threw out a sliding Harper at home. Suzuki made a great tag and held on to the ball through the collision.

Mid-fourth, the Nats lead the Phillies 3-2.

Update II: Jean Segura's solo shot off Grace tied the game in the fifth inning. Anthony Rendon's 17th untied it in the sixth off of Pivetta. The Nats lead the Phillies 4-3. Victor Robles slammed a three-run shot, his 11th.

After six innings, the Nats lead the Phillies 7-3.

Update III: In the seventh, Bruce hit home run No. 20 off reliever Tanner Rainey cut into the lead.

Update IV: Sean Doolittle struck out Harper for second out of ninth. He finished off the Phillies for his 16th save.

The Nationals defeat the Phillies 7-4 to sweep the series.