NATIONALS-PHILLIES REPORT CARD

Published April 28, 2009 4:00am ET



Most Valuable Player

Phillies 2B Chase Utley broke up a scoreless game with a three-run home run in the third inning. His next time up, Utley deposited another ball deep in the right field stands, a solo shot, giving him seven round-trippers.

Cole train

Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels, who entered with an 0-2 record and a 9.69 ERA, was on his way to his best start this season, when he rolled his left (push-off) ankle and had to leave the game.

Dunn gone

Adam Dunn got the Nats on the scoreboard in the sixth inning with a solo home run off Chad Durbin. The booming shot, Dunn’s sixth HR this season, landed high in the second deck at cozy Citizens Bank Park.

OOPS!

Alberto Gonzalez had a pair of hits, but his error kept the third inning alive and Phillies 3B Pedro Feliz made Washington pay with a two-out home run that scored three unearned runs against loser John Lannan.


FROM THE DUGOUT 


Things didn’t go any smoother for Manny Acta in the team’s second game in Philly, despite earlier in the day announcing that closer Joel Hanrahan would be replaced in the short term with closer by committee.

When starter Hamels turned his ankle, Charlie Manuel went to Durbin and the journeyman entered hurriedly with one out and two on, but retired Ronnie Belliard and Nick Johnson on shallow flies to the outfield.