The Phils opened their three-game set in D.C. with a Memorial Day win, beating the Nationals 5-4. Roy Halladay went seven innings en route to picking up his seventh win of the season.
It wasn't a vintage Doc performance - he surrendered 4 runs on 10 hits (including three solo home runs), but made pitches when he had to.
Big Roy fought through the heat and took care of business in the seventh after he giving up a leadoff double to Alex Cora. Ian Desmond, who was simply trying to sacrifice Cora over to thrid, bunted down the third base line for a base hit. Doc was able to bear down and got Rick Ankiel to ground a sharply hit ball back to him, which he fired home to Carlos Ruiz, who flipped to Placido Polanco who caught Cora in a rundown.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Danny Espinosa then flew out to left for the second out. Halladay saw his way out of the jam by striking out Jayson Werth to end the inning.
Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez provided most of the offense - each hitting a solo shot and knocking in two. Ibanez added a crucial sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh, plating Chase Utley with the eventual game winning run.
The Phils bullpen took over from there as Antonio Bastardo, Jose Contreras, and Ryan Madson combined to pitch two hitless innings. Game two of the three game series is Tuesday night. Cliff Lee faces Jason Marquis. It's a 7:05 start time.
Photo Credit: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE