It was Game 81, the mathematical midpoint of the season, and the Phillies marked the occasion with a performance that was, well, quintessentially 2018 Phillies.
Not much was expected after the second inning Saturday night when starter Vince Velasquez got knocked out of the game by a line drive off his right forearm. But a bullpen that was exhausted after logging 7 1/3 innings one night earlier ably passed the baton for seven more innings of a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals.
From Victor Arano to Tommy Hunter to Adam Morgan to Yacksel Rios to Seranthony Dominguez, the Phillies protected a slim lead.