Philadelphia, PA - Jesus Flores’ three-run home run in the eighth inning lifted the Washington Nationals over the Philadelphia Phillies, 7-6, to close out a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.
Felipe Lopez ended 2-for-5 with two RBI and scored a run for the Nationals, who have won three of their last five. Dmitri Young ended 2-for-4 and drove in a run in the win.
Howard homered for the Phillies, who had a five-game winning streak snapped. Pat Burrell ended 3-for-4 with two RBI in the loss. Utley finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice.
Former first-round draft choice Adam Eaton, looking to reach double-digits in wins for the third time in his career, allowed four runs on eight hits with two strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings.
Trailing 5-4, Washington got the go-ahead runs in the eighth. Young reached on a forceout and got replaced by pinch-runner Robert Fick on the basepaths. Austin Kearns next walked, and reliever Mike Zagurski came on in relief of Jose Mesa (1-3). He got Ryan Church to fly out, but Flores belted a three-run homer to left field on the first pitch he saw for the eventual game- winner.
Philly started to rally in the ninth. Rowand and Michael Bourn singled. Bourn then stole second, and Rowand came home on a Chris Coste groundout. Carlos Ruiz walked, but Abraham Nunez grounded out to end the game.
Washington plated two runs in the first when Lopez and Ronnie Belliard led off with singles before Young and Kearns both laced RBI singles.
Philly answered with a run in the home half, as Jimmy Rollins grounded a lead- off single, Shane Victorino walked, and Utley singled him home.
The Phillies scored a pair of runs in the third. Utley singled followed by Howard’s two-run shot to center field on a full count.
Philadelphia added two more runs in the fifth sparked by an abrupt exit by Lannan. After hitting Utley on the right wrist and then Howard on the torso, Lannan got ejected by home-plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt, who eventually tossed manager Manny Acta for arguing. Chris Schroder replaced him on the mound, but an error by Ryan Zimmerman allowed Rowand to reach safely, loading the bases for Burrell, who singled home two runs.
Washington scored two runs in the seventh. Flores singled, Nook Logan doubled, and Lopez singled home both baserunners.
Game Notes
Mesa made his 1,000th career appearance to become the 11th pitcher to reach the milestone. He became the third pitcher on that list to do so as a Phillie, as Kent Tekulve reached the mark in 1988 and Dan Plesac in 2002…Washington optioned pitcher Chris Booker to Triple-A Columbus prior to the game…The Phils have won five of their eight matchups with the Nationals this season, including four of six in Philly.
