Phillies 7, Nationals 6
Jayson Werth belted a two-run homer to cap a four-run ninth inning as the Philadelphia Phillies posted their seventh straight win with a 7-6 triumph over the Washington Nationals on Sunday.
Ryan Howard had a two-run single earlier in the frame as Philadelphia (89-61) won for the 11th time in 12 games.
Brian Schneider ripped a two-run double and Werth had an RBI single as the NL East-leading Phillies reduced their magic number for clinching their fourth consecutive division title to 10. In doing so, they remained three games ahead of the Atlanta Braves (86-64), who recorded a 6-3 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday afternoon.
Vance Worley (1-1) was credited with the win after pitching one scoreless inning of relief.
Drew Storen (3-4) was not as lucky. Staked to a three-run lead, the 23-year-old right-hander permitted four runs and four hits without retiring a batter in the ninth to suffer the loss.
Michael Morse belted a three-run homer and Willie Harris and Danny Espinosa added solo shots for Washington (63-87), which fell for the ninth time in 11 outings.