Foster Griffin earns eighth win as Nationals fend off Phillies 4-1 in rain-delayed opener

Washington built a low-stress start and then turned it into a full bullpen save situation by the time Foster Griffin exited. In the rain-delayed opener of the series at Nationals Park, the left-hander went 7 1/3 innings to claim his eighth win of the season, and the Nationals backed him with two home runs en route to a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The game’s timing mattered. The matchup began as a delay situation, meaning rhythm and warmup routines were as important as execution once play resumed. After the delay, Washington’s ability to stay organized carried over immediately into the way Griffin controlled the pace, letting the offense stay patient rather than forcing it to press early.

Griffin’s line was the centerpiece of the night. He logged 7 1/3 innings, striking out enough batters to keep Philadelphia from settling into extended rallies and limiting damage long enough for Washington’s leads to hold their shape. With the eighth win attached to his performance, Griffin’s season has taken on the profile of a steady rotation anchor rather than a spot starter.

Once the Nationals began to swing with more intent, the margin widened quickly. Washington hit two home runs in the game, a critical element in a 4-1 outcome because it reduced the need for stringing together multiple hits in each inning. In a rain-affected opener where timing and pitch-to-pitch feel can be disrupted, the ability to change the game with one swing became the difference.

Philadelphia managed to score once to spoil what could have been a cleaner exit for Griffin. Still, the Phillies did not threaten in a way that forced Washington to abandon its plan. Griffin’s ability to keep the ball in the park for most of his outing meant that Philadelphia’s comeback needed more than a normal cluster of base hits.

For Washington, the win served as a reminder that its pitching and power can still play complementary roles, even in games with compromised schedules. The Nationals used Griffin as a length option, getting deep enough to shorten the managerial workload, while letting the offense provide enough separation to prevent the late innings from becoming a coin flip.

The series opener also sets an early tone for how these two teams may approach the rest of the weekend stretch. If Griffin continues to carry innings and Washington’s lineup continues to reach for extra-base impact, the Nationals can put a steady pressure on opponents, especially in close, single-run type games that can swing quickly after weather disruptions.