It was a day where the Nationals could bask, for at least a moment, in the glow of a brighter future. The last-minute signing of prospect Jack McGeary late Wednesday night meant the front office batted 20-for-20 in signing all of its top prospects from June’s First-Year Player Draft.
But the future can wait for a team that still hopes a strong final six weeks will validate a season where it has played far better than expected. Thursday night at RFK Stadium, Philadelphia showed just how big the leap is from pesky spoiler to true playoff contender.
Phillies starter Cole Hamels handcuffed the Nats into the sixth inning and the bullpen held off rallies in the seventh and eighth to secure a 4-2 victory.
Philadelphia (64-56) picked up ground on its National League East rivals, Atlanta and New York, who both lost on Thursday, and pulled to within three games of first place in the division.
The Nats (55-66), meanwhile, pondered what could have been after losing two of three in the series. Washington blew a late lead on Tuesday and had a golden opportunity to win in the finale.
The Phillies escaped in the seventh when reliever Antonio Alfonseca struck out Felipe Lopez with the bases loaded and two out. In the eighth, the Nats received solo home runs from Ronnie Belliard and Dmitri Young to trim the Philadelphia lead to 4-2.
They then placed runners at first and second with one out. But Austin Kearns, the runner at second, misjudged a hard drive to right field by Jesus Flores and was doubled-up when the ball was caught.
There were some positives. Starting pitcher Joel Hanrahan was solid again in just his fourth major league start. He labored at times through five innings, walking four batters. But Hanrahan stranded three Phillies in scoring position and allowed just two runs and four hits. The runs came on a two-run homer by Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz in the second inning.
The Nats also hope Belliard is breaking out of his slump. After a four-game hitless streak and a 1-for-25 run in his last seven games, Belliard batted 2-for-4, including the eighth-inning solo home run. His last extra-base hit had been on Aug. 2 vs. Cincinnati.
Extra bases
» Nats General Manager Jim Bowden confirmed that injured first baseman Nick Johnson will not return this season. Johnson suffered a broken right leg last September 23 vs. the New York Mets. The leg has healed, but Johnson has endured hip problems that limited his rehabilitation progress. He will have surgery on Wednesday.
» The two teams were a combined 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
» Nats RF Austin Kearns left the game with a hamstring cramp in his right leg and is listed as day-to-day. He suffered the injury after getting doubled off second base on a fly ball out to end an eighth-inning rally.
