By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Set to make their first appearance on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" since August 2013, the Philadelphia Phillies (41-33) and Nick Pivetta will go for the series sweep of the Washington Nationals (40-35), opposite rookie Jefry Rodriguez at Nationals Park.
The Phillies defeated the Nationals 5-3 on Saturday, behind Maikel Franco's 4-4 performance and Jesmuel Valentin's go-ahead, sacrifice fly RBI in the seventh. Carlos Santana tied Odubel Herrera's team-leading 13 home run mark, as he homered off of recently-acquired Nationals reliever Kelvin Herrera in the eighth. Aaron Nola earned his ninth win, tying Chicago Cubs southpaw Jon Lester for the second-most in the National League and only bested by Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer (10). Seranthony Dominguez notched his fourth save, while Tommy Hunter (12) and Adam Morgan (9) tallied holds.
The Phillies' Saturday win secured their fourth straight series win — and their first at Nationals Park since April 26-28, 2016, which was also the last time the club swept their division rivals. The win also evened the Phillies' June record to 10-10 after losing seven of their first eight contests this month.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (41-33) | Washington Nationals (40-35) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Nick Pivetta | RHP | Jefry Rodriguez | ||
| (4-6, 4.08 ERA) | (0-0, 4.66 ERA) | ||||
RHP Nick Pivetta, Age: 25
- Career vs. WSN: 0-2, 11.81 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 10 2/3 IP, 19 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 6 HR, 7 BB, 12 SO, 2.438 WHIP
- Career at Nationals Park: 0-1, 15.88 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 5 2/3 IP, 10 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 3 HR, 7 BB, 6 SO, 3.000 WHIP
Pivetta is coming off of a career-high, 13-strikeout performance in his most recent start, Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-hander received a no-decision after losing each of his previous four outings since May 27.
On May 4, Pivetta lasted just one inning in a start against the Nationals at Nationals Park. He surrendered six runs on five hits, three walks and two home runs while tossing 46 pitches.
RHP Jefry Rodriguez, Age: 24
- Career vs. PHI: N/A
- Career at Nationals Park: 0-0, 9.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 5 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 6 SO, 1.400 WHIP
Rodriguez will make his second career start and third career appearance overall. The Dominican Republic native signed with the Nationals for $75,000 as an amateur free agent in January 2012.
In his first career start, Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles, Rodriguez allowed five runs on four hits, three walks, and six strikeouts spanning five innings and 96 pitches (60 strikes). Orioles leadoff hitter Jace Peterson and INF/OF Trey Mancini homered in the Nationals' 9-7 win. Rodriguez's big league debut — June 3 against the Atlanta Braves — featured 4 2/3 shutout innings in relief.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (41-33) | Washington Nationals (40-35) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | SS | Trea Turner | R |
| 2 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R | 2 | RF | Bryce Harper | L |
| 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 3 | 3B | Anthony Rendon | R |
| 4 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S | 4 | LF | Juan Soto | L |
| 5 | RF | Nick Williams | L | 5 | 1B | Daniel Murphy | L |
| 6 | SS | Scott Kingery | R | 6 | CF | Michael A. Taylor | R |
| 7 | C | Andrew Knapp | S | 7 | 2B | Wilmer Difo | S |
| 8 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 8 | C | Pedro Severino | R |
| 9 | P | Nick Pivetta | R | 9 | P | Jefry Rodriguez | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 8:05 p.m.
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies lead the second Wild Card spot by 1 1/2 games with 88 games to go. Amid a three-game win streak, and the Atlanta Braves losing three straight, the Phillies have pulled within 1 1/2 games of the National League East lead.
- The Phillies are 26-19 (.578) all-time on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball."
- Second baseman Cesar Hernandez has an eight-game hitting streak, slashing .353/.436/.471 with eight runs scored, 12 hits, one home run, five RBI, five walks and six strikeouts spanning 34 at-bats.
- The Phillies have won six of their last seven games, outscoring opponents by a 17-run margin, 47-30.
- Phillies 2018 record when (via @BoopStats):
- Pitcher Batting Eighth: 12-5
- Pivetta Batting Eighth: 7-0
- No Pitcher Batting (DH): 4-0
- Pitcher Batting Ninth: 25-28
- Pivetta Batting Ninth: 2-6
- Pitcher Batting Eighth: 12-5
- Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is 2-4 with two home runs, three RBI and a walk in four career at-bats against Pivetta. Anthony Rendon, Trea Turner and Ryan Zimmerman have also previously gone yard against the right-hander.
What's Next:
Monday, June 25, 2018: vs. New York Yankees, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Jonathan Loaisiga (1-0, 3.12 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (5-7, 4.82 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP+, MLBN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
