Aug 15, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a three run home run against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Geoff Burke
The Phillies started out hot in the first inning of Friday's game against the Nationals. Their first two batters got on base, and both scored. However, the inning ended with two consecutive strikeouts, and the Phils left the bases loaded. In a 37-pitch inning from MacKenzie Gore, it seemed like more than two should have come in.
Zack Wheeler, who battled through five innings, allowed two runs: one on a CJ Abrams RBI double, and one on a Daylen Lile solo home run.
Nick Castellanos threw a laser to J.T. Realmuto and gunned Dylan Crews at home plate in the bottom of the second...
Nick Castellanos just GUNNED down Dylan Crews at home👀👀👀
(via @aokstott) pic.twitter.com/slqy7WY6Zo
...and then proceeded to ground into an inning-ending double play in the top of the third. Castellanos is now 7-for-47 (.149) in the month of August, with just one hit in his last eight games.
Then the game reached the top of the seventh, still tied at 2-2. The Phillies were threatening with two outs, with Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh on base.
Kyle Schwarber proceeded to send a ball 456 feet into the Washington, D.C. night.
Of course. Did anyone expect anything else from him?
Kyle Schwarber. Four hundred and FIFTY SIX FEET. pic.twitter.com/8omihHRCXq
Schwarber's 43rd home run of 2025 put the Phillies up 5-2. Then Bryce Harper hit another one of his many career home runs at Nationals Park, putting them up 6-2.
Bryce Harper goes back2️⃣back with Kyle Schwarber! pic.twitter.com/QmQepyhRVa
That was the story. It was supposed to be the story.
Instead, a freak accident struck. Closer Jhoan Duran, who hadn't pitched since Sunday, was sent in to pitch the bottom of the ninth with the Phillies up four runs. On his fourth pitch against Nationals third baseman Paul DeJong, this happened:
Here's the video of Jhoan Duran taking a baseball to his right foot/ankle:
(via @ACinPhilly) pic.twitter.com/jl2bavDcN8
Duran limped over toward the dugout, where he stayed for upwards of five minutes as Phillies trainers and staff evaluated their lights-out closer.
Duran was wincing and appeared to be in serious pain. He was having difficulty putting weight on his right leg.
Eventually, the Nationals sent out a bullpen cart to collect Duran. They parked the cart as close to Duran as they could, and then Duran had to be helped to the cart, unable to put weight on his right foot at all.
David Robertson came in and closed out the bottom of the ninth. The Phillies won the game.
But the story has changed, and the entire Delaware Valley will be holding its breath tonight.
