Zimmerman hits 2-run HR in 9th, Nationals beat Phillies 8-7

WASHINGTON -- The players remaining on the Washington Nationals don't want to be written off just yet.

Ryan Zimmerman hit a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the Nationals over the Philadelphia Phillies 8-7 on Wednesday night.

Juan Soto's two-out double against Seranthony Dominguez (1-4) set up Zimmerman. His drive landed just above the right-field wall and required video review before umpires confirmed the homer. Zimmerman has 11 walkoff home runs for his career, trailing only Albert Pujols (12) among active players.

"Ninth inning in a close game and the other team has the lead, those (closers) are usually pretty good," said Zimmerman after his first walk-off homer since May 15, 2016. "I kind of put the pressure on them. They're supposed to get me out."

Soto nearly ruined Washington's fun. Zimmerman remained on second base during the review. After the final call, the excited 19-year-old ran from home toward the infield as Zimmerman neared third base.

"Get away," Zimmerman said of his thoughts in the moment. "I don't even know the rules, but get away. That would have been awful."

Manager Davey Martinez knew the rule.

"If he touches (Ryan), he's out. I was screaming bloody murder," Martinez said.

Maikel Franco, Justin Bour and Cesar Hernandez homered for the Phillies, who led 7-5 in the seventh. Philadelphia, which has lost four in a row and nine of 13, fell three games behind NL East-leading Atlanta.

"Big challenge to have a tough week like we've had and then to have an excruciating loss like the one we had tonight," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said. "Our guys aren't going to hang our heads. We're going to come back swinging tomorrow."

Stephen Strasburg allowed five runs and seven hits over four innings for Washington in his first start since being placed on the 10-day disabled list on July 26 with a cervical nerve impingement.

Bryce Harper had three hits with a run-scoring double and a stolen base for Washington.

Matt Grace (1-1) worked 1/3 of an inning for Washington, which has won two in a row since trading second baseman Daniel Murphy and key reserve Matt Adams on Tuesday. The Nationals are 7 1/2 games behind Atlanta for the NL East lead.

Pinch-hitter Andrew Stevenson's sacrifice fly in the eighth cut the Phillies lead to 7-6.

Dominguez, who has three blown saves in August, threw three sliders to Zimmerman before going fastball on the decisive 2-1 pitch.

"I was throwing sliders, but then when I was behind in the count I was looking for the corners," Dominquez said via an interpreter. "My plan was yes to make him uncomfortable with the sliders."

Strasburg made just his second start since June 8. After returning from a DL stint due to shoulder inflammation, the right-hander surrendered six runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings in a losing start against Atlanta on July 20 before returning to the disabled list. He has not made it past the fifth inning in three consecutive starts.

Though Strasburg struck out the side in the first inning, he allowed four consecutive two-out hits and three runs in between. Franco turned on a hanging curveball for his 21st homer of the season as the Phillies led 3-0.

"I spent the last two months just fuming over (not being with the team)," Strasburg said. "I was happy to be back out there tonight. Great win for us."

Philadelphia starter Zach Elfin allowed five runs and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings.

NEW GUY

Philadelphia acquired left-hander reliever Luis Avilan from the Chicago White Sox before the game in exchange for pitcher Felix Paulino. Avilan had a 3.86 ERA in 39 2/3 innings this season.

SLOWING DOWN

The velocity on Strasburg's fastballs dipped into the low 90s in his final inning. The pitcher and manager primarily cited lack of endurance after the lengthy absence. "It was a work in progress," Strasburg said. "It's obviously been a while. Learned some things from it and take it into the next (start)."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Phillies: Kapler revealed a left wrist injury suffered in Sunday's loss to the New York Mets kept C Wilson Ramos out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive day. Ramos was available to pinch-hit or enter defensively for an inning if needed.

Nationals: With Strasburg reinstated, Washington optioned infielder Adrian Sanchez to Triple-A Syracuse.

UP NEXT

Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola (14-3, 2.24) is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA in two starts against Washington this season.

Nationals: RHP Max Scherzer (16-5, 2.11) is 16 strikeouts shy of a fifth consecutive season with at least 250.

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