The Phillies dropped the second game of their final series of the season Tuesday night, losing 4-2 to the Nationals. The Phils tried to play spoiler on Monday night, but a Braves loss clinched the division for Washington.
Philadelphia could still disrupt the Nats' chances to clinch the best record in the National League, but a combination of six Washington pitchers shut down Philly on Tuesday.
The only Phillies hitter who had any success was slugging rookie Darin Ruf, who blasted two homers. Ruf has been a bright spot for the Phillies as they play out the final week of the season. He hammered his first career homer last week against the Nats, and also came through with the game-winning triple on Monday. On Tuesday, he crushed solo homers in the fourth and eighth to produce the Phils' only runs for the second straight night.
Philadelphia will now wrap up the 2012 season Wednesday afternoon with Cliff Lee on the mound. He'll be opposed by Edwin Jackson.