The Phillies won for the third time on this must-win homestand when they beat the Washington Nationals, 3-2, on Monday night.
John Lannan pitched a gem against his former team.
The Phillies, trying to dissuade management from trading away veteran talent later this month, are 3-1 on this important 10-game homestand and they have won five of their last seven. They are 44-46 overall.
Starting pitching report
Lannan (2-3) pitched eight shutout innings and allowed four hits. He walked two and struck out four. It was his best start as a Phillie.
This had to have been one of the more satisfying wins of Lannan’s career. He was drafted by the Nationals in 2005 and came to the majors with them in 2007. He was twice an opening day starter for the club before being banished to the minors in 2012 and becoming a free agent after the season.
Lannan has pitched 13 innings against the Nats this season and allowed just two runs.
Washington right-hander Dan Haren allowed 10 base runners but just two runs over five innings.
Haren has made seven career starts against the Phillies. His teams are 0-7 in those games.
Bullpen report
Jonathan Papelbon made it interesting in the ninth inning. He entered the game with a 3-0 lead and allowed two runs as the Nats made it a one-run game. Papelbon ended up with his 19th save, but it was hardly impressive.
At the plate
The Phillies were 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base. They were able to push across two runs in the first inning on an RBI single by Domonic Brown and a bases-loaded walk by Darin Ruf. Ben Revere had a two-out double in the sixth and scored on a hit by Jimmy Rollins.
Revere went 3 for 5 and is hitting .300 on the season.
Health news
Ryan Howard is headed for surgery and will be out six to eight weeks (see story).
Up next
The series continues Tuesday night with right-hander Taylor Jordan (0-1, 2.70) opposing lefty Cole Hamels (3-11, 4.38).