MLB: Philadelphia 5, Washington 4

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Jayson Werth hit a home run in the eighth inning Tuesday, boosting the Philadelphia Phillies past the Washington Nationals 5-4.

Shane Victorino had a triple and double for Philadelphia, which has won three of its last four games. The Phillies kept pace with the Mets in the National League East. First-place New York beat Atlanta 7-3 Tuesday and leads Philadelphia by 1 1/2 games.

Werth's homer made a winner of Ryan Madson (3-1), who pitched a perfect eighth. Brad Lidge worked a perfect ninth to nail down his 31st save in as many chances. Phillies starter Joe Blanton allowed four runs on eight hits in five innings of work.

Steven Shell (0-1) took the loss after allowing the Werth homer, while Nationals starter Jason Bergmann gave up four runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. Ronnie Belliard was 4-for-4 for Washington, which has lost 11 consecutive games.