WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Jimmy Rollins hit a go-ahead RBI double in the top of the eighth Thursday night as the Philadelphia Phillies edged Washington, 7-6.
Rollins’ second hit of the contest and 89th RBI this season broke a 6-6 tie.
Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard smacked a two-run homer in the first, and Jayson Werth hit a three-run shot in the seventh. Chase Utley knocked in one run and Carlos Ruiz scored twice without a hit, as the Phillies won for the fifth time in their last six games.
The winner was J.C. Romero (2-2).
Brett Myers earned his 18th save.
Washington's Ronny Belliard and Ryan Church hit two-run doubles in the bottom of the second. Ryan Zimmerman and Brian Schneider had one RBI each and Church had two hits for the Nationals, who have split their last four games.
The losing pitcher was Jonathan Albaladejo (1-1).
The game was the first of a four-game series -- the final one to be played at Washington's RFK Stadium.
