By Michael Bean

– Newsdesk contributor

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Nov 4, 2011 – If early offseason activity is an indication of things to come this winter, the Washington Nationals may be more active in free agency than fans have come to expect in recent years. Coming off an 80-81 season, the franchise’s best mark since relocating from Montreal to D.C., the Nationals signed veteran right-hander Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year deal already. According to a report by Bill Ladson of MLB.com, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has his eyes on an even bigger free agent prize — former Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher, Roy Oswalt.

Oswalt, the 2006 NL ERA leader, is a free agent after the Phillies declined a team option to keep him in Philadelphia for the 2012 season. Now RIzzo can pursue the 34-year old Oswalt once again (he reportedly was interested in bringing Oswalt to Washington in the spring of 2010 as well). Rizzo recently spoke about the Nationals’ interest in acquiring veteran starting pitching help this offseason:

“The type of pitcher we are looking for is a good leader-type of guy that throws a lot of innings, has shown that he can win in the big leagues and really lead our staff,” Rizzo said without mentioning any names. “It’s not by having the best stuff on the staff, but showing how to be a professional, how to be a winner, how to pitch 200 innings in a season many, many times in a career. That’s kind of the guy we are looking for.”

During his 11-year career, Oswalt is 159-93 with a 3.21 ERA. In 2011, Oswalt started 23 games and finished with a 9-10 record, a 3.69 ERA, 93 K’s and 33 BB’s in 139.0 innings pitched.

Stay tuned for more MLB offseason news here and at Federal Baseball.

Read More: Roy Oswalt (P – PHI), Chien-Ming Wang (P – WAS), Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals, Houston Astros

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PHILADELPHIA — The standings, being what they are in the National League East, have mattered little to both the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies for some time. The Phillies have been six games or more ahead of the division’s second-place team since mid-August. All the Nationals have known is that they’re too far out of things to make the wins and losses significant in a playoff race.

They’ve been two teams on somewhat divergent paths — the Phillies‘ road littered with many more victories than Washington’s. But when both arrived at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday morning they knew one thing: As far as the standings go, whatever happened was, in essence, meaningless.

Two days and three Nationals’ victories later, the latest a 7-5 win that secured both John Lannan’s 10th victory of the season and the Nationals’ first series win in Philadelphia since April of 2008, and that surety is on unstable ground.

“It just shows what we can do, what the team is truly capable of doing,” said second baseman Danny Espinosa after his two-run homer in the sixth gave the Nationals a lead and set a franchise rookie record for home runs with 21.

“As far as what it does for next year, I don’t know,” he added. “This season and next season are completely different. But I think what it does show us as a team is that we can play with anybody and that we can beat anybody. I’m pretty sure the Phillies are the best team in baseball right now and we play them really well. If we believe in ourselves, I think it just shows that we can do whatever we want to.”

Whatever they want to do this season can still include finishing with a winning record — a mark that seemed nearly impossible to reach two weeks ago. On Sept. 8, as the Nationals watched the rain cancel their game against the Dodgers and ensure they’d only play 161 games, they were 11 games under .500. A chance at finishing 81-80 was bleak.

In the 13 games since, the Nationals have won 10 times — including seven straight on the road — and are aware that a 6-1 record over their remaining seven games will earn them the honor of being the only team in Nationals’ history to finish with more wins than losses.

“I think that’s definitely something to shoot for,” Espinosa said. “I’ve said it before. I don’t care if it’s the end of the season. You play until the end and you try to get the best record that you can. You don’t just lay down the last month and let it go by. It’s definitely still a goal that’s very reachable, that we can be over .500.”

“We know we’re not done yet,” Lannan said. “No one is packing it up yet. We want to get to .500. We want to finish the year strong.”

Fueling Washington’s run has been a staff that’s seen one young pitcher after another impress. In staring down his Philadelphia demons Wednesday night, the 26-year-old lefty held the damage to two runs in a five-hit Phillies‘ second inning, when he escaped with the bases loaded. He surrendered just one more run over five innings. It wasn’t his best outing, but in his personal house of horrors, it was good enough for his 10th win of the season — the first time he’s reached that mark, and first-ever win inside Citizens Bank Park in seven tries.

“I’ve had some tough times against the Phillies,” Lannan said. “Especially here. It was pretty big for me to come out here and battle through that second and third and get through five.”

Aided by Espinosa’s home run, a two-run shot from Wilson Ramos in the second, along with what amounted to three insurance runs in the eighth inning and Henry Rodriguez’s first career save, the Nationals earned their ninth win against Philadelphia. Regardless of the outcome in their series finale Thursday, the Nationals cannot finish with a losing record in the season series. That has happened only once in their seven-year history.

“I think we’ve played them as tough as anybody they’ve played,” said Nationals manager Davey Johnson. “I’m sure they’re fully aware of that. The last few games, [Phillies manager Charlie Manuel] has thrown everything at us. They’re not important games to them but they also want to end on a good note so, in a way, they are important games.”

© Copyright 2011 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Davey Johnson had the best seat in the house when he
molded a young New York Mets team in the 1980s into a World Series champion.

His Nationals aren’t Amazin’ yet.

But his young nucleus has .500 in sight and are no longer pushovers in the
NL East.

Danny Espinosa(notes) and Wilson Ramos(notes) each hit two-run home runs to help the
Washington Nationals beat Philadelphia 7-5 on Wednesday, sending the NL
East-champion Phillies to their season-worst fifth straight loss.

Espinosa’s two-run shot in the sixth off Vance Worley(notes) (11-3) made it 4-3 as
the Nationals continued to give Philadelphia fits. Washington swept a
doubleheader on Tuesday and go for the four-game sweep on Thursday.

“The young guys are growing up and it’s fun to watch,” said Johnson, named
Nationals manager on June 26. “I think we’ve played as tough against them as
anybody they’ve played.”

The Nationals played like the team storming toward the postsesaon, not the
Phillies.

The Phillies have been in a funk since they clinched their fifth straight
division title on Saturday. They’ve lost five straight games for the first time
since May 22-27, 2010. All of the losses have come at home, where the Phillies
are tied for the major league lead with 52 victories.

The Phillies played again without right fielder Hunter Pence(notes) and first
baseman Ryan Howard(notes). Howard has been out with a sore left ankle and Pence missed
his second straight game with patellar tendinitis in his left knee. Both players
are expected to play in Philadelphia’s weekend series at New York.

With postseason plans underway, the Phillies aren’t too worried about this
slump. Manager Charlie Manuel said before the game he needs his regular lineup
in tact for at least the last four or five games of the regular season to tune
up for another potential deep postseason run.

“We definitely need to have our team ready and I plan on our team being
ready,” Manuel said.

They haven’t looked it against Washington.

Backed by Espinosa’s go-ahead homer, the Nationals won their seventh
straight road game. His 21st homer set a single-season franchise record by a
rookie. The Nationals (75-79) still have a chance to set a franchise record for
victories in a season. They will need to finish 7-1 to reach 82 wins, and finish
with their first winning record since moving from Montreal in 2005.

John Lannan(notes) (10-13) allowed eight singles and three runs in five innings.
Lannan improved his career record vs. the Phillies to 2-12.

“It feels good. I’ve run into some tough times here,” Lannan said.

Henry Rodriguez(notes) worked the ninth for his first save.

Worley had fit in nicely in a rotation that included Cliff Lee(notes), Roy
Halladay(notes), Roy Oswalt(notes) and Cole Hamels(notes), winning nine straight games in one stretch
and becoming an instant fan favorite with his Mohawk and “Vanimal” nickname.

He’ll be bumped to the bullpen for the playoffs and this was his last start
of the season.

“I’m still part of the team,” Worley said. “I’d rather come out of the
bullpen a couple of times and get a feel for it.”

Worley had a 43-inning streak this season without allowing a homer, but he
was done in by them on Wednesday. Ramos made it 2-0 in the second with his 14th
homer of the season.

The Phillies tied it at 2 in the second on five straight singles off Lannan.
Ben Francisco’s(notes) single up the middle made it 2-1 and Worley tied it with his own
base hit.

Raul Ibanez’s(notes) RBI single in the third put the Phillies up 3-2. That was all
they could muster against Lannan.

John Mayberry(notes) Jr. hit a two-run homer in the eighth for the Phillies that
made it 7-5.

Howard and Pence have combined for 53 homers and the Phillies could have
used some of that pop in the lineup. The Phillies scored only three runs in the
doubleheader defeat and have been shut out twice over the five-game losing
streak. They’ve scored three runs or less 12 times in the last 14 games.

That kind of anemic run support will shift even more pressure to produce on
the Lee-Halladay-Hamels-Oswalt postseason rotation. Even the so-called “Four
Aces” need more than a run or two each start if the Phillies are going to win
the World Series for the first time since 2008.

Philadelphia’s top four hitters—Jimmy Rollins(notes), Shane Victorino(notes), Placido
Polanco(notes), and Chase Utley(notes)—went 0 for 16.

“I’m concerned about it,” Manuel said. “At the same time, I’ve seen them
hit. I think they’ll hit.”

Ramos added an RBI single and Jonny Gomes(notes) had a sacrifice fly during
Washington’s three-run eighth to open up a cushion.

Notes: The Nationals beat the Phillies for the eighth time in the last 10
games (4-1 at Nationals Park; 4-1 at Citizens Bank Park). … The Phillies lost
five straight home games for the first time since June 16-21, 2009. … The
Nationals send RHP Brad Peacock(notes) (1-0, 1.42 ERA) to complete the sweep Thursday
against Oswalt (8-9, 3.66).

But his young nucleus has .500 in sight and are no longer pushovers in the NL East.

Danny Espinosa and Wilson Ramos each hit two-run home runs to help the Washington Nationals beat Philadelphia 7-5 on Wednesday, sending the NL East-champion Phillies to their season-worst fifth straight loss.

Espinosa’s two-run shot in the sixth off Vance Worley (11-3) made it 4-3 as the Nationals continued to give Philadelphia fits. Washington swept a doubleheader on Tuesday and go for the four-game sweep on Thursday.

“The young guys are growing up and it’s fun to watch,” said Johnson, named Nationals manager on June 26. “I think we’ve played as tough against them as anybody they’ve played.”

The Nationals played like the team storming toward the postsesaon, not the Phillies.

The Phillies have been in a funk since they clinched their fifth straight division title on Saturday. They’ve lost five straight games for the first time since May 22-27, 2010. All of the losses have come at home, where the Phillies are tied for the major league lead with 52 victories.

The Phillies played again without right fielder Hunter Pence and first baseman Ryan Howard. Howard has been out with a sore left ankle and Pence missed his second straight game with patellar tendinitis in his left knee. Both players are expected to play in Philadelphia’s weekend series at New York.

With postseason plans underway, the Phillies aren’t too worried about this slump. Manager Charlie Manuel said before the game he needs his regular lineup in tact for at least the last four or five games of the regular season to tune up for another potential deep postseason run.

“We definitely need to have our team ready and I plan on our team being ready,” Manuel said.

They haven’t looked it against Washington.

Backed by Espinosa’s go-ahead homer, the Nationals won their seventh straight road game. His 21st homer set a single-season franchise record by a rookie. The Nationals (75-79) still have a chance to set a franchise record for victories in a season. They will need to finish 7-1 to reach 82 wins, and finish with their first winning record since moving from Montreal in 2005.

John Lannan (10-13) allowed eight singles and three runs in five innings. Lannan improved his career record vs. the Phillies to 2-12.

“It feels good. I’ve run into some tough times here,” Lannan said.

Henry Rodriguez worked the ninth for his first save.

Worley had fit in nicely in a rotation that included Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, winning nine straight games in one stretch and becoming an instant fan favorite with his Mohawk and “Vanimal” nickname.

He’ll be bumped to the bullpen for the playoffs and this was his last start of the season.

“I’m still part of the team,” Worley said. “I’d rather come out of the bullpen a couple of times and get a feel for it.”

Worley had a 43-inning streak this season without allowing a homer, but he was done in by them on Wednesday. Ramos made it 2-0 in the second with his 14th homer of the season.

The Phillies tied it at 2 in the second on five straight singles off Lannan. Ben Francisco’s single up the middle made it 2-1 and Worley tied it with his own base hit.

Raul Ibanez’s RBI single in the third put the Phillies up 3-2. That was all they could muster against Lannan.

John Mayberry Jr. hit a two-run homer in the eighth for the Phillies that made it 7-5.

Howard and Pence have combined for 53 homers and the Phillies could have used some of that pop in the lineup. The Phillies scored only three runs in the doubleheader defeat and have been shut out twice over the five-game losing streak. They’ve scored three runs or less 12 times in the last 14 games.

That kind of anemic run support will shift even more pressure to produce on the Lee-Halladay-Hamels-Oswalt postseason rotation. Even the so-called “Four Aces” need more than a run or two each start if the Phillies are going to win the World Series for the first time since 2008.

Philadelphia’s top four hitters — Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Placido Polanco, and Chase Utley — went 0 for 16.

“I’m concerned about it,” Manuel said. “At the same time, I’ve seen them hit. I think they’ll hit.”

Ramos added an RBI single and Jonny Gomes had a sacrifice fly during Washington’s three-run eighth to open up a cushion.

Notes: The Nationals beat the Phillies for the eighth time in the last 10 games (4-1 at Nationals Park; 4-1 at Citizens Bank Park). … The Phillies lost five straight home games for the first time since June 16-21, 2009. … The Nationals send RHP Brad Peacock (1-0, 1.42 ERA) to complete the sweep Thursday against Oswalt (8-9, 3.66).

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Espinosa’s two-run shot in the sixth off Vance Worley (11-3) made it 4-3 as the Nationals continued to give Philadelphia fits. Washington swept a doubleheader on Tuesday and go for the four-game sweep on Thursday.

John Lannan (10-13) allowed eight singles and three runs in five innings. Henry Rodriguez worked the ninth for his first save.

The Phillies played again without right fielder Hunter Pence and first baseman Ryan Howard. Howard has been out with a sore left ankle and Pence missed his second straight game with patellar tendinitis in his left knee. Both players are expected to play in Philadelphia’s weekend series at New York.

With postseason plans underway, the Phillies aren’t too worried about this slump. Manager Charlie Manuel said before the game he needs his regular lineup in tact for at least the last four or five games of the regular season to tune up for another potential deep postseason run.

“We definitely need to have our team ready and I plan on our team being ready,” Manuel said.

They haven’t looked it against Washington.

Backed by Espinosa’s go-ahead homer, the Nationals won their seventh straight road game. His 21st homer set a single-season franchise record by a rookie. The Nationals (75-79) still have a chance to set a franchise record for victories in a season. They will need to finish 7-1 to reach 82 wins, and finish with their first winning record since moving from Montreal in 2005.

Worley had fit in nicely in a rotation that included Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, winning nine straight games in one stretch and becoming an instant fan favorite with his Mohawk and “Vanimal” nickname.

He’ll be bumped to the bullpen for the playoffs and this was his last start of the season.

Worley had a 43-inning streak this season without allowing a homer, but he was done in by them on Wednesday. Ramos made it 2-0 in the second with his 14th homer of the season.

The Phillies tied it at 2 in the second on five straight singles off Lannan. Ben Francisco’s single up the middle made it 2-1 and Worley tied it with his own base hit.

Raul Ibanez’s RBI single in the third put the Phillies up 3-2. That was all they could muster against Lannan.

John Mayberry Jr. hit a two-run homer in the eighth for the Phillies that made it 7-5.

Howard and Pence have combined for 53 homers and the Phillies could have used some of that pop in the lineup. The Phillies scored only three runs in the doubleheader defeat and have been shut out twice over the five-game losing streak. They’ve scored three runs or less 13 times in the last 14 games.

That kind of anemic run support will shift even more pressure to produce on the Lee-Halladay-Hamels-Oswalt postseason rotation. Even the so-called “Four Aces” need more than a run or two each start if the Phillies are going to win the World Series for the first time since 2008.

Ramos added an RBI single and Jonny Gomes had a sacrifice fly during Washington’s three-run eighth to open up a cushion. Lannan improved his career record vs. the Phillies to 2-12.

Notes: The Nationals beat the Phillies for the eighth time in 10 games (4-1 at Nationals Park; 4-1 at Citizens Bank Park). … The Phillies lost five straight home games for the first time since June 16-21, 2009. … The Nationals send RHP Brad Peacock (1-0, 1.42 ERA) to complete the sweep Thursday against Oswalt (8-9, 3.66).

By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Davey Johnson had the best seat in the house when he molded a young New York Mets team in the 1980s into a World Series champion.

His Nationals aren’t Amazin’ yet.

But his young nucleus has .500 in sight and are no longer pushovers in the NL East.

Danny Espinosa and Wilson Ramos each hit two-run home runs to help the Washington Nationals beat Philadelphia 7-5 on Wednesday, sending the NL East-champion Phillies to their season-worst fifth straight loss.

Espinosa’s two-run shot in the sixth off Vance Worley (11-3) made it 4-3 as the Nationals continued to give Philadelphia fits. Washington swept a doubleheader on Tuesday and go for the four-game sweep on Thursday.

“The young guys are growing up and it’s fun to watch,” said Johnson, named Nationals manager on June 26. “I think we’ve played as tough against them as anybody they’ve played.”

The Nationals played like the team storming toward the postsesaon, not the Phillies.

The Phillies have been in a funk since they clinched their fifth straight division title on Saturday. They’ve lost five straight games for the first time since May 22-27, 2010. All of the losses have come at home, where the Phillies are tied for the major league lead with 52 victories.

The Phillies played again without right fielder Hunter Pence and first baseman Ryan Howard. Howard has been out with a sore left ankle and Pence missed his second straight game with patellar tendinitis in his left knee. Both players are expected to play in Philadelphia’s weekend series at New York.

With postseason plans underway, the Phillies aren’t too worried about this slump. Manager Charlie Manuel said before the game he needs his regular lineup in tact for at least the last four or five games of the regular season to tune up for another potential deep postseason run.

“We definitely need to have our team ready and I plan on our team being ready,” Manuel said.

They haven’t looked it against Washington.

Backed by Espinosa’s go-ahead homer, the Nationals won their seventh straight road game. His 21st homer set a single-season franchise record by a rookie. The Nationals (75-79) still have a chance to set a franchise record for victories in a season. They will need to finish 7-1 to reach 82 wins, and finish with their first winning record since moving from Montreal in 2005.

John Lannan (10-13) allowed eight singles and three runs in five innings. Lannan improved his career record vs. the Phillies to 2-12.

“It feels good. I’ve run into some tough times here,” Lannan said.

Henry Rodriguez worked the ninth for his first save.

Worley had fit in nicely in a rotation that included Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, winning nine straight games in one stretch and becoming an instant fan favorite with his Mohawk and “Vanimal” nickname.

He’ll be bumped to the bullpen for the playoffs and this was his last start of the season.

“I’m still part of the team,” Worley said. “I’d rather come out of the bullpen a couple of times and get a feel for it.”

Worley had a 43-inning streak this season without allowing a homer, but he was done in by them on Wednesday. Ramos made it 2-0 in the second with his 14th homer of the season.

The Phillies tied it at 2 in the second on five straight singles off Lannan. Ben Francisco’s single up the middle made it 2-1 and Worley tied it with his own base hit.

Raul Ibanez’s RBI single in the third put the Phillies up 3-2. That was all they could muster against Lannan.

John Mayberry Jr. hit a two-run homer in the eighth for the Phillies that made it 7-5.

Howard and Pence have combined for 53 homers and the Phillies could have used some of that pop in the lineup. The Phillies scored only three runs in the doubleheader defeat and have been shut out twice over the five-game losing streak. They’ve scored three runs or less 12 times in the last 14 games.

That kind of anemic run support will shift even more pressure to produce on the Lee-Halladay-Hamels-Oswalt postseason rotation. Even the so-called “Four Aces” need more than a run or two each start if the Phillies are going to win the World Series for the first time since 2008.

Philadelphia’s top four hitters – Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Placido Polanco, and Chase Utley – went 0 for 16.

“I’m concerned about it,” Manuel said. “At the same time, I’ve seen them hit. I think they’ll hit.”

Ramos added an RBI single and Jonny Gomes had a sacrifice fly during Washington’s three-run eighth to open up a cushion.

Notes: The Nationals beat the Phillies for the eighth time in the last 10 games (4-1 at Nationals Park; 4-1 at Citizens Bank Park). … The Phillies lost five straight home games for the first time since June 16-21, 2009. … The Nationals send RHP Brad Peacock (1-0, 1.42 ERA) to complete the sweep Thursday against Oswalt (8-9, 3.66).

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

By Andrew Kinback

– Nationals editor

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Sep 21, 2011 – The Washington Nationals are riding high after a Tuesday doubleheader sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies. The two teams are definitely on different paths with the Phillies moving on to the playoffs and the Nationals back to their families and numerous golf courses, but that doesn’t mean these two teams will be slacking against each other, especially to the Nationals who look to continue to garner respect.

A third straight victory against the NL East champs would be gravy for Washington and for their starting pitcher, John Lannan (9-13, 3.68 ERA). Lannan currently has a 5.06 ERA in five starts against Philadelphia this season and has lost four times against the Phillies. The Nats lefty has also lost six of his last seven starts, but some of that can be chalked up to the lack of Nationals offense. It is a David and Goliath sort of battle for Lannan anytime he faces the Phillies. He will be opposing Vance Worley (11-2, 2.85 ERA), a NL Rookie of the Year candidate.

 

Nationals

1. Ian Desmond, SS

2. Roger Bernadina, RF

3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B

4. Michael Morse, LF

5. Danny Espinosa, 2B

6. Chris Marrero, 1B

7. Rick Ankiel, CF

8. Wilson Ramos, C

9. John Lannan, SP

Read More: Ryan Zimmerman (3B – WAS), John Lannan (P – WAS), Rick Ankiel (CF – WAS), Michael Morse (1B – WAS), Roger Bernadina (RF – WAS), Ian Desmond (SS – WAS), Chris Marrero (1B – WAS), Wilson Ramos (C – WAS), Danny Espinosa (2B – WAS), Vance Worley (P – PHI), Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals

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Updated Sep 20, 2011 7:18 PM ET

PHILADELPHIA (AP)

Ryan Zimmerman’s pinch-hit single in the top of the 10th inning lifted the Washington Nationals past the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 Tuesday in the first game of a day-night-doubleheader.

Roger Bernadina smacked a three-run homer off Phillies reliever Michael Schwimer into the seats in the second deck of right field in the seventh for a 3-0 lead. Raul Ibanez hit a three-run pinch-hit homer in the bottom of the seventh to make it 3-3.

Tom Gorzelanny (4-6) threw a scoreless inning in the ninth for the victory. Drew Storen picked up his 39th save. Ross Gload grounded out with runners on first and second and two outs in the 10th.

The Nationals have won eight of their last 11 games. The Phillies, who have clinched their fifth straight NL East title, used a lineup featuring only two regulars – Shane Victorino in center and Hunter Pence in right. Both were pulled by the seventh inning.

Washington’s Ross Detwiler (2-5) opposes Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee (16-7) in the nightcap.

With the score 3-3, Washington brought in right-hander Tyler Clippard to start the seventh and the Phillies called back pinch hitter Carlos Ruiz for Ibanez, who hit his 20th homer. It was Ibanez’s second career pinch-hit homer, the last one coming in 2001 for Seattle.

Michael Stutes (6-2) took the loss after allowing Zimmerman’s single to center, scoring Michael Morse from second. Morse walked with two outs and advanced on a passed ball.

Washington starter Tom Milone was effective in his longest career effort. It was the rookie left-hander’s fourth major league start. He surrendered four hits, and had no walks and two strikeouts.

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Read More: Ryan Zimmerman (3B – WAS), Tyler Clippard (P – WAS), Doug Slaten (P – WAS), Raul Ibanez (LF – PHI), Michael Morse (1B – WAS), Ross Detwiler (P – WAS), Roger Bernadina (RF – WAS), Tom Milone (P – WAS), Drew Storen (P – WAS), Michael Stutes (P – PHI), Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals

In the same way the Philadelphia Phillies make themselves at home at Nationals Park, the Washington Nationals are moving into Citizens Bank Park and are making themselves comfortable. Perhaps in time Philadelphia will be home to “Nationals Park North.” It will come sooner than later if the Nationals continue to beat the reigning NL East champs like they did Tuesday afternoon. In game one of a doubleheader the Nationals beat the Phillies 4-3 in 10-innings much to the dismay of the hometown fans in Philly.

Nationals starting pitcher Tom Milone pitched six brilliant innings giving up only four hits, no runs, no walks and striking out two. It was the longest performance of Milone’s short Major League career and the first start where he was not taken out of the game mid-inning.

In the seventh inning outfielder Roger Bernadina hit a three-run blast to put the Nationals up 3-0. However, reliever Doug Slaten entered the game and put two Phillies on base before being relieved for Tyler Clippard. Clippard then gave up a three-run home run to Raul Ibanez to tie the game.

In the 10th inning manager Davey Johnson put in pinch hitter Ryan Zimmerman (who had the afternoon off) and he slapped a RBI single to score Michael Morse off Michael Stutes. Nationals closer Drew Storen then came in and slammed the door on the Phillies for his 39th save of the season.

The Nationals have a 8-6 record against the Phillies in 2011.

Game 2 of the doubleheader is at 7:05 P.M. with Ross Detwiler taking the mound.

The results mattered little for either the Phillies, who had already clinched the best record in the National League, or the Nationals, who are vying for third place in the NL East. The Nationals, though, want to find out what they have in young players like Milone, and, albeit against a lineup with three regular starters, Milone showed why he may contend for a spot in the 2011 Nationals’ rotation.

Milone allowed four hits, two of which stayed in the infield, over six scoreless innings. Milone walked no batters, hit one and struck out two. He befuddled the Phillies with well-spotted fastballs, a devious changeup and a keep-them-honest curveball. None of Milone’s 93 pitches traveled more than 89 miles per hour, but only five of the 24 batters he faced hit the ball out of the infield. Only one base runner advanced past second base against Milone.

The Nationals still needed extra innings. With two outs in the 10th, Michael Morse came off the bench to pinch-hit and drew a walk. He moved to second on a wild pitch. With Jesus Flores on deck, the Phillies were compelled to intentionally walk Danny Espinosa. Manager Davey Johnson countered with some right-hander on his bench named Zimmerman.

Meaningless, September baseball can make for fun managing. Zimmerman swatted a single to center, scoring Morse and making him 6 for 15 with seven RBIs in his career as a pinch-hitter.

If the Nationals topple left-handed ace Cliff Lee tonight they will even the season series with the Phillies at eight games apiece.

The Nationals took a 3-0 lead when Roger Bernadina drilled a three-run homer to the upper deck in right field off of Michael Schwimer, but their bullpen could not protect Milone’s second major league win.

In the bottom of the seventh, Johnson chose left-hander Doug Slaten from his crowded bullpen. Slaten allowed two singles, one dribbler toward second base and a slow roller through the left side.

With two outs and none on, Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel sent right-handed Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia’s regular catcher, to pinch-hit against Slaten. Johnson summoned his best reliever, Tyler Clippard, from the bullpen. Manuel countered by pulling back Ruiz and sending up Raul Ibanez.

Before the game, Clippard led all major league pitcher in Win Probability Added, a statistic devised by Baseball-Reference.com that assigns a value to every at-bat in terms of how it affects a team’s chances to win the game, at 5.3 WPA. He had excelled at situations exactly like this – cleaning up other pitcher’s messes with the game in the balance.

Clippard fooled Ibanez with two changeups. When he fired Ibanez an 0-2 fastball, Clippard’s season-long dominance went on break. Ibanez drilled it into the right field seats, tying the game 3. Clippard still led the league in WPA, but Ibanez – who has a 1.085 OPS against the Nationals the past three seasons – has a knack for spoiling even the best things about the Nationals.

The homer prevented the Nationals from an easy first game, but the most important part of their day had already happened during the first six innings. The victory just helped make it more fun.

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Ryan Zimmerman’s(notes) pinch-hit single in the top of the 10th
inning lifted the Washington Nationals past the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3
Tuesday in the first game of a day-night-doubleheader.

Roger Bernadina(notes) smacked a three-run homer off Phillies reliever Michael
Schwimer(notes) into the seats in the second deck of right field in the seventh for a
3-0 lead. Raul Ibanez(notes) hit a three-run pinch-hit homer in the bottom of the
seventh to make it 3-3.

Tom Gorzelanny(notes) (4-6) threw a scoreless inning in the ninth for the victory.
Drew Storen(notes) picked up his 39th save. Ross Gload(notes) grounded out with runners on
first and second and two outs in the 10th.

The Nationals have won eight of their last 11 games. The Phillies, who have
clinched their fifth straight NL East title, used a lineup featuring only two
regulars—Shane Victorino(notes) in center and Hunter Pence(notes) in right. Both were pulled
by the seventh inning.

Washington’s Ross Detwiler(notes) (2-5) opposes Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee(notes)
(16-7) in the nightcap.

With the score 3-3, Washington brought in right-hander Tyler Clippard(notes) to
start the seventh and the Phillies called back pinch hitter Carlos Ruiz(notes) for
Ibanez, who hit his 20th homer. It was Ibanez’s second career pinch-hit homer,
the last one coming in 2001 for Seattle.

Michael Stutes(notes) (6-2) took the loss after allowing Zimmerman’s single to
center, scoring Michael Morse(notes) from second. Morse walked with two outs and
advanced on a passed ball.

Washington starter Tom Milone was effective in his longest career effort. It
was the rookie left-hander’s fourth major league start. He surrendered four
hits, and had no walks and two strikeouts.

Kyle Kendrick(notes) made another statement for a place on the Phillies’ postseason
roster with his second consecutive strong outing. He pitched six scoreless
innings, with no walks and four strikeouts. Kendrick has given up three or fewer
earned runs in each of his last nine starts.

Philadelphia placed runners at first and third with one out in the sixth
before Ben Francisco(notes) popped out and Erik Kratz(notes) struck out.

The Nationals loaded the bases in the third, but Kendrick got Rick Ankiel(notes) to
ground out to second, ending the threat. In the sixth, Kendrick wriggled out of
trouble again when he struck out Danny Espinosa(notes) looking with runners at first
and third.

NOTES: Wilson Valdez(notes) returned to the Phillies’ lineup at shortstop after
missing the previous 10 games with a left hamstring strain. The crowd of 44,263
marked the 201st consecutive regular season sellout at Citizens Bank Park. …
Washington second baseman Danny Espinosa doubled in the fourth, giving him an
eight-game hitting streak. … Nationals relief pitcher Ryan Mattheus(notes), who
missed the last 22 games with a right shoulder strain, was activated from the
15-day disabled list.

The Washington Nationals set an attendance record on Saturday night in its home loss against the Philadelphia Phillies.

More than 44,000 fans packed Nationals Park in the Nation’s Capital in the second game of the three-game set. Unfortunately for Nationals followers, they were far outnumbered by the Phillies fanatics who traveled down I-95 to see their favorite team.

I guess the Nationals’ organization isn’t that concerned about it since a huge crowd brings in a lot of money, even if they are cheering against the home team. But for the Washington, D.C., sports fans who are very passionate about their teams, the sight of Phillies fans invading their home stadium can’t feel too great.

It’s not like this is Florida, where sports are a second-thought to partying on South Beach or visiting Disney World. This is Washington, one of the major cities in the sports-crazed Northeast. A city that follows the Redskins year in and year out despite the team not advancing to an NFC title game since 1992.

Yes, I know the Nationals have been pretty awful in their six-year existence. But you would think a passionate sports town like Washington would be able muster more than the Nationals’ average attendance of 24,000 per game this season.

I guess until hyped prospects Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper are regulars on the Nationals’ roster, the team will just have to rely on the Presidents mascot race and games against the Phillies to bring excitement to the ballpark.

Well even if they are rooting for two different teams, there is one thing Phillies and Nationals fans can agree on. Jayson Werth, who is currently batting .232 with 129 strikeouts in his first season with Washington, won’t be getting any standing ovations in the near future. 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Avoiding a close pitch led to the Washington Nationals tying the game in the bottom of the ninth. Getting plunked an inning later propelled them past the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ian Desmond hit a tying homer with two outs in the ninth inning, then Jonny Gomes was nicked by a pitch from Brad Lidge with the bases loaded in the 10th, giving the Nationals an unlikely 5-4 win on a rainy Sunday.

It was the second improbable victory in three games for the Nationals. They beat the Phillies, who have the best record in the majors, with a six-run rally in the ninth Friday night.

“Any time you can beat what I consider probably the best team in baseball it’s a plus,” Washington manager Davey Johnson said. “There’s just no give up in this ballclub. It’s always fun to beat the best.”

Desmond was feeling like anything but the best after Saturday’s game, when his two-out error led to the Phillies’ first two runs in a 5-0 win.

Less than 24 hours later, an RBI single by Michael Martinez put the Phillies ahead 4-3 in the ninth. With two outs, Desmond was down to his final strike when he instinctively avoided being hit by a slider from Antonio Bastardo, who pitched the ninth with regular closer Ryan Madson given the day off.

On the next pitch, Desmond sent a soaring drive into the stands for his fifth home run of the season. The shot quieted the pro-Phillies crowd at Nationals Park and had Desmond shooting his arm into the air.

“Last night was a hard night’s sleep for me,” Desmond said. “I told myself today I’m going to come out and try to put that behind me. When I touched first base and put my hand up I was, ‘Yes, that’s how you come back.”

Ryan Zimmerman, who hit a game-ending grand slam on Friday night, started the 10th with a leadoff double against Lidge (0-1). Michael Morse was walked intentionally and Jayson Werth, after striking out three times, singled to load the bases.

Danny Espinosa fanned for the first out. A 1-0 slider from Lidge veered inside — and Gomes didn’t budge.

“I’m definitely hanging in. It comes all the way back to my junior college days. it was hard-nosed, dirtbag baseball,” Gomes said.

“Normally, that’s a pitch for me when I release it — I know what it’s going to do,” Lidge said. “It didn’t go where I thought it was going to go.”

Gomes was happy it didn’t.

“Getting hit was last on my to-do list that at bat, but it worked out,” Gomes said.

Sean Burnett (4-5), the sixth Washington pitcher, pitched a scoreless 10th.

The win broke a streak of eight straight winning road series by the Phillies.

The Nationals got off to a 2-0 lead in the first off Roy Halladay. Desmond’s leadoff double set up Zimmerman’s sacrifice fly and Espinosa’s run-scoring single, his first RBI since July 17.

Carlos Ruiz homered off Chien-Ming Wang in the second, tying it at 2. Chase Utley’s ninth home run put the Phillies ahead 3-2 in the third.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, lightning and heavy rain caused a delay of 1 hour, 11 minutes.

When play resumed, Tom Gorzelanny replaced Wang and faced one batter.

On track for his NL-leading 16th win and fourth this year against Washington before the rain came, Halladay allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings, striking out five and hitting a batter.

After the delay, Halladay was replaced by Michael Schwimer, who made his major league debut. He allowed a home run to Espinosa on the second pitch he threw.

Schwimer pitched three innings and struck out four.

In his fifth start since missing more than two years after shoulder surgery, Wang allowed three runs and five hits. He struck out four and walked one.

NOTES: Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins left in the third inning with a strained right groin. He’ll have an MRI exam Monday night. … Espinosa had three hits … Zimmerman has reached base in 27 straight games. … It was the third rain delay in the last four games for the Nationals. Friday’s game was stopped for 2 hours, 22 minutes, and the start of Thursday’s Reds-Nationals game was also delayed by 30 minutes. … LHP Ross Detwiler (1-3) will start Monday for Washington. LHP Joe Saunders (8-10) is scheduled for Arizona.

Avoiding a close pitch led to the Washington Nationals tying the game in the bottom of the ninth. Getting plunked an inning later propelled them past the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ian Desmond hit a tying homer with two outs in the ninth inning, then Jonny Gomes was nicked by a pitch from Brad Lidge with the bases loaded in the 10th, giving the Nationals an unlikely 5-4 win on a rainy Sunday.

It was the second improbable victory in three games for the Nationals. They beat the Phillies, who have the best record in the majors, with a six-run rally in the ninth Friday night.

“Any time you can beat what I consider probably the best team in baseball it’s a plus,” Washington manager Davey Johnson said. “There’s just no give up in this ballclub. It’s always fun to beat the best.”

Elsewhere in the NL it was: Milwaukee 6 New York 2; Atlanta 1 Arizona 0; Cincinnati 5 Pittsburgh 4; San Francisco 6 Houston 4 (11 innings); Colorado 5 Los Angeles 3; San Diego 4 Florida 3; and St. Louis 6 Chicago 2.

At Washington, Desmond was feeling like anything but the best after Saturday’s game, when his two-out error led to the Phillies’ first two runs in a 5-0 win.

Less than 24 hours later, an RBI single by Michael Martinez put the Phillies ahead 4-3 in the ninth. With two outs, Desmond was down to his final strike when he instinctively avoided being hit by a slider from Antonio Bastardo, who pitched the ninth with regular closer Ryan Madson given the day off.

On the next pitch, Desmond sent a soaring drive into the stands for his fifth home run of the season. The shot quieted the pro-Phillies crowd at Nationals Park and had Desmond shooting his arm into the air.

“Last night was a hard night’s sleep for me,” Desmond said. “I told myself today I’m going to come out and try to put that behind me. When I touched first base and put my hand up I was, ‘Yes, that’s how you come back.”

Ryan Zimmerman, who hit a game-ending grand slam on Friday night, started the 10th with a leadoff double against Lidge (0-1). Michael Morse was walked intentionally and Jayson Werth, after striking out three times, singled to load the bases.

Danny Espinosa fanned for the first out. A 1-0 slider from Lidge veered inside — and Gomes didn’t budge.

“I’m definitely hanging in. It comes all the way back to my junior college days. it was hard-nosed, dirtbag baseball,” Gomes said.

“Normally, that’s a pitch for me when I release it — I know what it’s going to do,” Lidge said. “It didn’t go where I thought it was going to go.”

Gomes was happy it didn’t.

“Getting hit was last on my to-do list that at bat, but it worked out,” Gomes said.

Sean Burnett (4-5), the sixth Washington pitcher, pitched a scoreless 10th.

The win broke a streak of eight straight winning road series by the Phillies.

The Nationals got off to a 2-0 lead in the first off Roy Halladay. Desmond’s leadoff double set up Zimmerman’s sacrifice fly and Espinosa’s run-scoring single, his first RBI since July 17.

Carlos Ruiz homered off Chien-Ming Wang in the second, tying it at 2. Chase Utley’s ninth home run put the Phillies ahead 3-2 in the third.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, lightning and heavy rain caused a delay of one hour 11 minutes.

When play resumed, Tom Gorzelanny replaced Wang and faced one batter.

On track for his NL-leading 16th win and fourth this year against Washington before the rain came, Halladay allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings, striking out five and hitting a batter.

After the delay, Halladay was replaced by Michael Schwimer, who made his major league debut. He allowed a home run to Espinosa on the second pitch he threw.

Schwimer pitched three innings and struck out four.

In his fifth start since missing more than two years after shoulder surgery, Wang allowed three runs and five hits. He struck out four and walked one.

Brewers 6 Mets 2

At New York, Prince Fielder drove in the go-ahead run on a botched potential double-play grounder in the eighth and Yovani Gallardo shut down the Mets for seven innings, leading Milwaukee to a sweep of the Mets.

—

Braves 1 Diamondbacks 0

At Atlanta, Tim Hudson combined with two relievers on a five-hit shutout, Alex Gonzalez homered and the Braves completed a three-game sweep of slumping Arizona.

—

Reds 5 Pirates 4

At Pittsburgh, Cincinnati scored twice in the ninth inning to hand All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan his second loss in three days and take two of three from the Pirates.

—

Giants 6 Astros 4 (11 innings)

At Houston, Pablo Sandoval hit a tie-breaking two-run homer with two out in the 11th inning to propel San Francisco over the Astros.

—

Rockies 5 Dodgers 3

At Denver, Kevin Millwood pitched seven strong innings for his first big league win in nearly a year and Seth Smith hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh, leading Colorado to snap a string of 17 straight Sunday losses.

—

Padres 4 Marlins 3

At San Diego, Nick Hundley tripled leading off the bottom of the ninth and scored on Will Venable’s bases-loaded single to give the Padres a four-game sweep of Florida.

—

Cardinals 6 Cubs 2

At Chicago, Albert Pujols hit his 31st home run and Yadier Molina homered twice as St. Louis beat the Cubs.

WASHINGTON (AP) – Avoiding a close pitch led to the Washington Nationals tying the game in the bottom of the ninth. Getting plunked an inning later propelled them past the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ian Desmond hit a tying homer with two outs in the ninth inning, then Jonny Gomes was nicked by a pitch from Brad Lidge with the bases loaded in the 10th, giving the Nationals an unlikely 5-4 win on a rainy Sunday.

It was the second improbable victory in three games for the Nationals. They beat the Phillies, who have the best record in the majors, with a six-run rally in the ninth Friday night.

“Any time you can beat what I consider probably the best team in baseball it’s a plus,” Washington manager Davey Johnson said. “There’s just no give up in this ballclub. It’s always fun to beat the best.”

Desmond was feeling like anything but the best after Saturday’s game, when his two-out error led to the Phillies’ first two runs in a 5-0 win.

Less than 24 hours later, an RBI single by Michael Martinez put the Phillies ahead 4-3 in the ninth. With two outs, Desmond was down to his final strike when he instinctively avoided being hit by a slider from Antonio Bastardo, who pitched the ninth with regular closer Ryan Madson given the day off.

On the next pitch, Desmond sent a soaring drive into the stands for his fifth home run of the season. The shot quieted the pro-Phillies crowd at Nationals Park and had Desmond shooting his arm into the air.

“Last night was a hard night’s sleep for me,” Desmond said. “I told myself today I’m going to come out and try to put that behind me. When I touched first base and put my hand up I was, ‘Yes, that’s how you come back.”

Ryan Zimmerman, who hit a game-ending grand slam on Friday night, started the 10th with a leadoff double against Lidge (0-1). Michael Morse was walked intentionally and Jayson Werth, after striking out three times, singled to load the bases.

Danny Espinosa fanned for the first out. A 1-0 slider from Lidge veered inside – and Gomes didn’t budge.

“I’m definitely hanging in. It comes all the way back to my junior college days. it was hard-nosed, dirtbag baseball,” Gomes said.

“Normally, that’s a pitch for me when I release it – I know what it’s going to do,” Lidge said. “It didn’t go where I thought it was going to go.”

Gomes was happy it didn’t.

“Getting hit was last on my to-do list that at bat, but it worked out,” Gomes said.

Sean Burnett (4-5), the sixth Washington pitcher, pitched a scoreless 10th.

The win broke a streak of eight straight winning road series by the Phillies.

The Nationals got off to a 2-0 lead in the first off Roy Halladay. Desmond’s leadoff double set up Zimmerman’s sacrifice fly and Espinosa’s run-scoring single, his first RBI since July 17.

Carlos Ruiz homered off Chien-Ming Wang in the second, tying it at 2. Chase Utley’s ninth home run put the Phillies ahead 3-2 in the third.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, lightning and heavy rain caused a delay of 1 hour, 11 minutes.

When play resumed, Tom Gorzelanny replaced Wang and faced one batter.

On track for his NL-leading 16th win and fourth this year against Washington before the rain came, Halladay allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings, striking out five and hitting a batter.

After the delay, Halladay was replaced by Michael Schwimer, who made his major league debut. He allowed a home run to Espinosa on the second pitch he threw.

Schwimer pitched three innings and struck out four.

In his fifth start since missing more than two years after shoulder surgery, Wang allowed three runs and five hits. He struck out four and walked one.

NOTES: Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins left in the third inning with a strained right groin. He’ll have an MRI exam Monday night. … Espinosa had three hits … Zimmerman has reached base in 27 straight games. … It was the third rain delay in the last four games for the Nationals. Friday’s game was stopped for 2 hours, 22 minutes, and the start of Thursday’s Reds-Nationals game was also delayed by 30 minutes. … LHP Ross Detwiler (1-3) will start Monday for Washington. LHP Joe Saunders (8-10) is scheduled for Arizona.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

WASHINGTON —

Avoiding a close pitch led to the Washington Nationals tying the game in the bottom of the ninth. Getting plunked an inning later propelled them past the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ian Desmond hit a tying homer with two outs in the ninth inning, then Jonny Gomes was nicked by a pitch from Brad Lidge with the bases loaded in the 10th, giving the Nationals an unlikely 5-4 win on a rainy Sunday.

It was the second improbable victory in three games for the Nationals. They beat the Phillies, who have the best record in the majors, with a six-run rally in the ninth Friday night.

“Any time you can beat what I consider probably the best team in baseball it’s a plus,” Washington manager Davey Johnson said. “There’s just no give up in this ballclub. It’s always fun to beat the best.”

Desmond was feeling like anything but the best after Saturday’s game, when his two-out error led to the Phillies’ first two runs in a 5-0 win.

Less than 24 hours later, an RBI single by Michael Martinez put the Phillies ahead 4-3 in the ninth. With two outs, Desmond was down to his final strike when he instinctively avoided being hit by a slider from Antonio Bastardo, who pitched the ninth with regular closer Ryan Madson given the day off.

On the next pitch, Desmond sent a soaring drive into the stands for his fifth home run of the season. The shot quieted the pro-Phillies crowd at Nationals Park and had Desmond shooting his arm into the air.

“Last night was a hard night’s sleep for me,” Desmond said. “I told myself today I’m going to come out and try to put that behind me. When I touched first base and put my hand up I was, ‘Yes, that’s how you come back.”

Ryan Zimmerman, who hit a game-ending grand slam on Friday night, started the 10th with a leadoff double against Lidge (0-1). Michael Morse was walked intentionally and Jayson Werth, after striking out three times, singled to load the bases.

Danny Espinosa fanned for the first out. A 1-0 slider from Lidge veered inside – and Gomes didn’t budge.

“I’m definitely hanging in. It comes all the way back to my junior college days. it was hard-nosed, dirtbag baseball,” Gomes said.

“Normally, that’s a pitch for me when I release it – I know what it’s going to do,” Lidge said. “It didn’t go where I thought it was going to go.”

Gomes was happy it didn’t.

“Getting hit was last on my to-do list that at bat, but it worked out,” Gomes said.

Sean Burnett (4-5), the sixth Washington pitcher, pitched a scoreless 10th.

The win broke a streak of eight straight winning road series by the Phillies.

The Nationals got off to a 2-0 lead in the first off Roy Halladay. Desmond’s leadoff double set up Zimmerman’s sacrifice fly and Espinosa’s run-scoring single, his first RBI since July 17.

Carlos Ruiz homered off Chien-Ming Wang in the second, tying it at 2. Chase Utley’s ninth home run put the Phillies ahead 3-2 in the third.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, lightning and heavy rain caused a delay of 1 hour, 11 minutes.

When play resumed, Tom Gorzelanny replaced Wang and faced one batter.

On track for his NL-leading 16th win and fourth this year against Washington before the rain came, Halladay allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings, striking out five and hitting a batter.

After the delay, Halladay was replaced by Michael Schwimer, who made his major league debut. He allowed a home run to Espinosa on the second pitch he threw.

Schwimer pitched three innings and struck out four.

In his fifth start since missing more than two years after shoulder surgery, Wang allowed three runs and five hits. He struck out four and walked one.

NOTES: Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins left in the third inning with a strained right groin. He’ll have an MRI exam Monday night. … Espinosa had three hits … Zimmerman has reached base in 27 straight games. … It was the third rain delay in the last four games for the Nationals. Friday’s game was stopped for 2 hours, 22 minutes, and the start of Thursday’s Reds-Nationals game was also delayed by 30 minutes. … LHP Ross Detwiler (1-3) will start Monday for Washington. LHP Joe Saunders (8-10) is scheduled for Arizona.

It was the second improbable victory in three games for the Nationals. They beat the Phillies, who have the best record in the majors, with a six-run rally in the ninth Friday night.

“Any time you can beat what I consider probably the best team in baseball it’s a plus,” Washington manager Davey Johnson said. “There’s just no give up in this ballclub. It’s always fun to beat the best.”

Desmond was feeling like anything but the best after Saturday’s game, when his two-out error led to the Phillies’ first two runs in a 5-0 win.

Less than 24 hours later, an RBI single by Michael Martinez put the Phillies ahead 4-3 in the ninth. With two outs, Desmond was down to his final strike when he instinctively avoided being hit by a slider from Antonio Bastardo, who pitched the ninth with regular closer Ryan Madson given the day off.

On the next pitch, Desmond sent a soaring drive into the stands for his fifth home run of the season. The shot quieted the pro-Phillies crowd at Nationals Park and had Desmond shooting his arm into the air.

“Last night was a hard night’s sleep for me,” Desmond said. “I told myself today I’m going to come out and try to put that behind me. When I touched first base and put my hand up I was, ‘Yes, that’s how you come back.”

Ryan Zimmerman, who hit a game-ending grand slam on Friday night, started the 10th with a leadoff double against Lidge (0-1). Michael Morse was walked intentionally and Jayson Werth, after striking out three times, singled to load the bases.

Danny Espinosa fanned for the first out. A 1-0 slider from Lidge veered inside — and Gomes didn’t budge.

“I’m definitely hanging in. It comes all the way back to my junior college days. it was hard-nosed, dirtbag baseball,” Gomes said.

“Normally, that’s a pitch for me when I release it — I know what it’s going to do,” Lidge said. “It didn’t go where I thought it was going to go.”

Gomes was happy it didn’t.

“Getting hit was last on my to-do list that at bat, but it worked out,” Gomes said.

Sean Burnett (4-5), the sixth Washington pitcher, pitched a scoreless 10th.

The win broke a streak of eight straight winning road series by the Phillies.

The Nationals got off to a 2-0 lead in the first off Roy Halladay. Desmond’s leadoff double set up Zimmerman’s sacrifice fly and Espinosa’s run-scoring single, his first RBI since July 17.

Carlos Ruiz homered off Chien-Ming Wang in the second, tying it at 2. Chase Utley’s ninth home run put the Phillies ahead 3-2 in the third.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, lightning and heavy rain caused a delay of 1 hour, 11 minutes.

When play resumed, Tom Gorzelanny replaced Wang and faced one batter.

On track for his NL-leading 16th win and fourth this year against Washington before the rain came, Halladay allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings, striking out five and hitting a batter.

After the delay, Halladay was replaced by Michael Schwimer, who made his major league debut. He allowed a home run to Espinosa on the second pitch he threw.

Schwimer pitched three innings and struck out four.

In his fifth start since missing more than two years after shoulder surgery, Wang allowed three runs and five hits. He struck out four and walked one.

NOTES: Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins left in the third inning with a strained right groin. He’ll have an MRI exam Monday night. … Espinosa had three hits … Zimmerman has reached base in 27 straight games. … It was the third rain delay in the last four games for the Nationals. Friday’s game was stopped for 2 hours, 22 minutes, and the start of Thursday’s Reds-Nationals game was also delayed by 30 minutes. … LHP Ross Detwiler (1-3) will start Monday for Washington. LHP Joe Saunders (8-10) is scheduled for Arizona.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Ian Desmond hit a tying homer with two outs in the ninth inning, then Jonny Gomes was hit by a pitch from Brad Lidge with the bases loaded in the 10th today, giving the Washington Nationals an unlikely 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

It was the second improbable victory in three games for the Nationals. They beat the Phillies, who have the best record in the majors, with a six-run rally in the ninth Friday night.

The Nationals trailed 4-3 this time, and Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo struck out the first two batters in the ninth. Desmond connected on a 1-2 pitch for his fifth homer.

Gomes was plunked by Lidge with one out to end it.