The Washington Nationals defeated the Philadelphia Phillies decisively, 13-2, on March 30, 2026, at Citizens Bank Park. This victory improved the Nationals’ record to 2-1, while the Phillies fell to 1-2 this season.
Joey Wiemer continued his impressive performance, extending his two-game home run streak and tying a major league record for the most consecutive plate appearances reaching base to start a season with 10. Wiemer became only the second player in the live ball era to achieve this feat, matching Carlos Delgado’s record set in 2002.
In this game, seven Washington batters recorded at least two hits, showcasing a powerful offensive display. Taijuan Walker, who started for the Phillies, held a perfect 0.00 ERA prior to this match, while Foster Griffin took the mound for the Nationals, also boasting a 0.00 ERA.
Wiemer commented on his performance, stating, “That’s what makes me, me,” emphasizing his commitment to playing hard regardless of the game situation. He further added, “Regardless of the score, situation, I’m going to play hard.”
The game started at 6:40 p.m. ET, and the Phillies faced a challenging outing, struggling against the Nationals’ lineup. The defeat comes as the Phillies deal with injuries, including Orion Kerkering, Zack Wheeler, and Max Lazar, each on the injured list for 15 days, and Josiah Gray and DJ Herz, both sidelined for 60 days.
Wiemer’s record-tying achievement is particularly notable as it highlights the impact of emerging players in the league. The previous record of 10 consecutive plate appearances reaching base had stood since 2002, a testament to its difficulty.
As the season progresses, observers will be keen to see how both teams adjust and respond to this early setback for the Phillies and the momentum gained by the Nationals. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the immediate strategies both teams will employ moving forward.
