Phillips hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth and was one of three Cincinnati players with two hits. Paul Bako had one RBI and Jerry Hairston Jr. had three hits for the Reds, who could complete a four-game holiday weekend sweep with a victory Sunday afternoon.

Hairston's single started the ninth-inning rally. He stole second and scored the winning run.

Closer Francisco Cordero (4-1) was the winner despite his fourth blown save this season.

Washington catcher Jesus Flores and starter Tim Redding had one RBI apiece. Aaron Boone had two of the seven hits in the Nationals' fourth straight loss.

The losing pitcher was Joel Hanrahan (5-3).

Washington lost left-fielder Elijah Dukes to a seventh-inning right-knee injury.