Despite scoring five runs for the first time since they had clinched their division, the Phils losing streak reaches five games for the first time in 2011, as they fall to the Nats, 7-5.

The Nats took the lead in the second as, with one man on, and with two men out, Wilson Ramos hits a two-run home run, his fourteenth home run of the year, knocking in Chris Marrero, who had earlier singled, giving the Nats a 2-0 lead. The Phils got a run back in their half of the second as, with two men on, and with one man out, Ben Francisco hits an RBI single, knocking in John Mayberry, Jr., who had earlier singled, then stopped at second base on Raul Ibanez’s single, making it a 2-1 Nats’ lead, while sending Ibanez, who had just singled, up to second base. Two batters later, after Brian Schneider had loaded up the bases with a single, moving both Ibanez and Francisco up a base, and with still one man out, Vance Worley tied the game up at two-all with an RBI single, knocking in Ibanez, while sending Francisco to third and moving Schnieder up to second base. The Phils took the lead in the third as, with one man on, and with two men out, Ibanez knocked in Mayberry, who had earlier singled, stole second base, then went to third on catcher Ramos’ throwing error, giving the Phils a 3-2 lead. The Nats regain the lead in the sixth as, with one man on, and with one man out, Danny Espinosa hits a two-run home run, his twenty-first home run of the year, scoring Michael Morse, who had just singled, giving the Nats a 4-3 lead. The Nats added to their lead in the eighth as, with two men on, and with nobody out, Espinosa, who had earlier been hit by a pitch, then went to second base on Marrero’s walk, would score on pitcher Antonio Bastardo’s throwing error of Rick Ankiel’s bunt attempt, as he tried to force out Espinosa at third, giving the Nats a 5-3 lead, while allowing Marrero, who had just walked, to reach third base, and Ankiel to reach second base. The Nats then made it a 6-3 lead one batter later as Ramos hits an RBI single, scoring Marrero, while Ankiel would stop at third, putting runners on the corners. Pinch hitter Jonny Gomes then made it a 7-3 Nats’ lead as he hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Ankiel. The Phils got two runs back in their half of the eighth as, with one man on, and with nobody out, Mayberry hits a two-run home run, his fifteenth home runs of the season, scoring Chase Utley, who had just walked, making it a 7-5 Nats’  lead. That would end up being the final score as Henry Rodriguez collected his first save of the year as he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.

Vance Worley (11-3, 3.00) took the lost as he went six innings, giving up four runs on six hits and three walks, while striking out six. Joe Blanton pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit, as he struck out one. Justin De Fratus pitched to two batters, getting neither one out, as he gave up two runs on a hit batter and a walk. Antonio Bastardo pitched an inning, as he gave up two runs on two hits and an error, while striking out a batter. Michael Schwimer pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit. John Lannan (10-13, 3.73) got the win as he went five innings, giving up three runs on eight hits and a walk, while striking out three. Craig Stammen collected his first hold of the year as he pitched two scoreless innings, giving up a hit, while striking out one. Atahualpa Severino pitched a third of an inning, giving up two runs on a hit and a walk, while striking out one. Todd Coffey collected his tenth hold of the year as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, getting out both men that he would face, striking out one. Henry Rodriguez collected his first save of the year as he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.

The Phils had ten hits in the ballgame, with John Mayberry, Jr. (Singles, Home Run, 2 RBIs) and Ben Francisco (Singles, RBI) leading the team with three hits each. Raul Ibanez followed with two hits, both singles, knocking in a run. Brian Schneider and Vance Worley (RBI), had the other two Phils’ hits, both singles, as the offense finally scored more than five runs in a game since Saturday, but still lost. Still, the offense need to get out of its present hitting funk, especially the first four batters, as they have been in a collective 0-fer stupor since Saturday. Hopefully the expected return of Ryan Howard will help the team.

The Phils (98-57, 1st) will play their last regular season home game with the Nats (75-79, 3rd) with a night game tonight. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and will start at 7:05 pm EDT. The Phils will send to the mound Roy Oswalt (8-9, 3.66), who is coming off a win against the Cardinals on September 17, as he pitched seven shutout innings, giving up five hits, as he struck out seven, in the Phils’ 9-2 win. He hope to put an end to the Phils’ five-game losing streak. The Nats will counter with Brad Peacock (1-0, 1.42), who is coming off a win against the Mets on September 14, as he went five innings, giving up two hits and three walks, while striking out two, in the Nats’ 2-0 win. He will try to add to the Phils’ present woes. The Phils will be trying to end their season at home on a winning note, after such a horrific home stand.