WASHINGTON - When this week began, Jeanmar Gomez was still the Phillies' closer. He was humbled Sunday, demoted Monday, but thrust Friday into a difficult situation. He pushed a 3-2 Phillies loss to the Nationals into extra innings with a scoreless ninth. But, in the 10th, Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman awaited him.
Gomez threw five pitches. The game ended with Harper belly flopping across home plate and stopping at Gomez's feet. The deposed closer lost another one when Murphy slashed a game-winning double to left.
The Phillies lost with their new closer, Joaquin Benoit, unused in the bullpen.