The Washington Nationals squandered a solid start from Cade Cavalli and a three-RBI performance from CJ Abrams, falling 6-5 to the Philadelphia Phillies in 10 innings Tuesday night. The loss exposed familiar bullpen concerns as five different relievers combined to allow five earned runs over the final four frames, with Cole Henry taking the loss after surrendering the winning run in the 10th inning.
Cavalli Delivers Quality Start, Offense Shows Promise
Cade Cavalli provided exactly what the Nationals needed from their rotation, working six strong innings while allowing just one earned run on five hits with three strikeouts. The right-hander, competing for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, battled through two walks but consistently worked out of trouble against a dangerous Phillies lineup featuring Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto.
CJ Abrams led the offensive charge with a three-run homer that highlighted Washington's ability to generate timely hitting. Brady House (2-for-4), Daylen Lile (2-for-5), and Joey Wiemer (2-for-4) each collected multiple hits, showing the depth that could make this lineup competitive in 2026.
Bullpen Meltdown Costs Nationals in Late Innings
The game's turning point came when the Nationals' bullpen imploded after Cavalli's departure. Andre Granillo allowed one earned run in two-thirds of an inning before Cionel Pérez gave up another run, surrendering Washington's early advantage. Clayton Beeter managed to get through the ninth, but the damage was done as Philadelphia clawed back into contention.
In the decisive 10th inning, PJ Poulin walked two batters in one-third of an inning before Cole Henry entered with the bases loaded. Henry, who needs to prove he belongs on the major league roster, immediately allowed three hits and walked another batter, enabling the Phillies to push across the winning run. It was a nightmare scenario that highlighted the work still needed in Washington's bullpen depth.
Phillies Veterans Make the Difference
Philadelphia's experience showed in crucial moments, with Harper delivering a solo home run and Realmuto adding another blast of his own. Justin Crawford led the way with three hits and an RBI, while Adolis García chipped in two hits. Cristopher Sánchez gave the Phillies 5.1 solid innings with seven strikeouts, though he walked four batters in a performance that mirrored Cavalli's effectiveness.
Jhoan Duran earned the win with a scoreless 10th inning, showcasing the kind of late-game reliability that Washington desperately needs to develop in their own bullpen arms.
What's Next for the Nationals
Despite the disappointing finish, there were encouraging signs for Washington. Cavalli's performance strengthened his case for a rotation spot, while the offense showed it can compete against quality pitching. However, the bullpen struggles cannot be ignored as spring training progresses.
The Nationals need to find reliable arms who can protect leads and keep games close. With Cole Henry's rough outing and the overall bullpen allowing five runs in four innings, manager decisions in late-game situations will be crucial moving forward. Washington must use these final spring training games to identify which relievers can handle high-leverage situations when the regular season begins.
