Nationals suffer first series loss of season, fall 3-0 to Phillies

The Nationals offense has struggled in the first two games of the series against the Phillies.

On Wednesday, Jeremy Hellickson allowed only two hits over seven innings as Philadelphia won 3-0, handing the Nationals their first shutout loss of the season.

The Nationals were unable to produce any runs on the night, settling for a double by Daniel Murphy and a single from Danny Espinosa, the 500th hit in his career. Over the last three games, the Nationals are 3-for-28 with runners in scoring position.

This marks only the second two-game losing streak of the season for the Nats (14-6), and the first time this season they have lost two in a row at Nationals Park. The Phillies are above .500 at 11-10.

The loss also marks the Nationals' first series loss of the season.

The Nationals have scored only three runs in the first 18 innings of the three-game series.

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez pitched very well against the Phillies two Sundays ago in Philadelphia and hoped to repeat that effort on a chilly Wednesday night in D.C.

Gonzalez went seven innings on April 17, allowing one run and four hits with eight strikeouts and two walks

On Wednesday, Gonzalez went 6 1/3 innings, scattering five hits and allowing two runs, only one of which was earned. He had five strikeouts, but walked three and had two wild pitches.

In the fourth, Gonzalez gave a two-out single to Darin Ruf and a walk to Carlos Ruiz. He managed to get out of the jam thanks to a popup to short right corralled by Bryce Harper.

The Phillies broke through in the sixth. Odubel Herrera started off with a single. He was sacrificed to second on a bunt back to the pitcher by Freddy Galvis. After a wild pitch, Ruf brought him home on a sacrifice fly to center field and Philadelphia led 1-0.

The Phillies added a run in the seventh. Cesar Hernandez and Tyler Goeddell had consecutive hits to begin the rally. Hellickson laid down a sacrifice bunt in front of the plate to advance the runners. Peter Bourjos then grounded to Anthony Rendon at third. His throw home was wide and to the left of catcher Jose Lobaton, allowing Hernandez to score the Phillies second run.

The Phillies eventually loaded the bases and Gonzalez was pulled. Left-hander Sammy Solis induced a 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Galvis. Solis was called up from Triple-A Syrcause earlier today after right-hander Matt Belisle was placed on the disabled list with a calf injury.

Ruiz capped off the scoring with a solo homer off of Solis in the eighth.

The Phillies have walked Harper five times in the series. He has not scored a run after any of those walks.