Nats' late-inning rally downs Phils again

Washington, DC – It was an unconventional way to win a game but the Washington Nationals will surely take it.

After erasing a ninth-inning deficit for the second time in three days, the Nationals loaded the bases in the 10th against Philadelphia's Brad Lidge (0-1), who allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base.

Ryan Zimmerman, the hero from Friday night with a walkoff grand slam, doubled to start the frame and Jayson Werth singled after Lidge intentionally walked Michael Morse. The veteran reliever struck out Danny Espinosa before hitting Jonny Gomes with a pitch on the left elbow, sending the Nationals to a 5-4 win.

The hit batsman made a winner out of Sean Burnett (4-5).

The Phillies lost their first road series since dropping two of three in Seattle from June 17-19.

Philadelphia had won their previous eight series as the visiting club and taken a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning on Sunday.

Raul Ibanez drew a one-out walk and scored after Carlos Ruiz and Michael Martinez hit back-to-back singles off Drew Storen.

Antonio Bastardo struck out the first two batters in the bottom of the inning before Ian Desmond drove a 1-2 pitch to the left-field seats. It was the first blown save of the season for the Phillies' left-hander.

Washington jumped out to a 2-0 in the first inning against Philadelphia starter Roy Halladay.

Desmond led off with a double, took third on Rick Ankiel's infield single and scored on Zimmerman's sacrifice fly. Espinosa singled home Ankiel later in the frame.

The Phillies quickly tied the game as Ruiz belted a two-run homer off Nationals starter Chien-Ming Wang in the top of the second.

A solo blast by Chase Utley gave Philadelphia a 3-2 lead in the third.

The game featured a one hour, 11 minute rain delay in the top of the sixth.

Michael Schwimer replaced Halladay on the mound for Philadelphia in the bottom of the sixth. Two pitches into his major league debut, Schwimer surrendered a game-tying home run to Espinosa.

Game Notes

Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins left Sunday's game in the third inning with a right groin strain. He is listed as day-to-day...Halladay gave up seven hits with five strikeouts in five innings. He had won each of his last 10 starts against the Washington/Montreal franchise...Wang allowed five hits in 5 2/3 innings...Utley, who moved passed Johnny Callison into sole possession of 10th place on the Phillies' all-time home run list (186), went deep for the first time since July 29...Zimmerman was 2-for-4 and now has now reached base safely in 27 consecutive games for Washington.