Phillies beat Nationals 8-5 for doubleheader split

PHILADELPHIA -- Nice day for Cesar Hernandez, and win No. 1 for Pete Mackanin with the Phillies.

Hernandez had four hits, and Philadelphia stopped Washington's eight-game winning streak with an 8-5 victory over the Nationals in the second half of a doubleheader on Sunday.

Mackanin got his first win since he became the interim manager after Ryne Sandberg resigned on Friday.

"We had a nice ending to a long day," he said. "It was good to get a win."

Maikel Franco drove in three runs for Philadelphia, which had dropped three in a row. Odubel Herrera had three hits and drove in a run.

Offense has been a struggle all season for the Phillies, and they entered last in the league in several major categories, including runs, RBI and home runs. But they have won four of seven and averaged 9.8 runs in those victories.

"It's nice to see," Mackanin said. "We have it in us to do it more often and confidence is the factor."

Ian Desmond and Jose Lobaton homered for Washington, but Tanner Roark was knocked out in the fourth inning.

In the opener, Stephen Strasburg struck out a season-high nine in seven strong innings to lead the Nationals to a 3-2 victory. The traditional doubleheader was made necessary by Saturday's rainout after 1 1/2 innings. The games took a combined 6 hours, 22 minutes.

Severino Gonzalez (3-2) got the ball for Philadelphia in the second game and allowed four runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

"I was feeling very good, especially about the opportunity," Gonzalez said through an interpreter. "I'm glad things worked out."

It was the sixth start for Gonzalez, who entered with an 8.69 ERA and was sent to Triple-A after surrendering six runs in 2 2/3 innings in a 7-5 loss to San Francisco on June 6. The Phillies optioned him back to Triple-A after the game.

"He pitched very well," Mackanin said. "I like the way he attacks the zone. He needs to work on his breaking ball and keeping the ball down. He's not an ace, but he's capable of being a starter at this level."

Jonathan Papelbon pitched the ninth for his 14th save in 14 chances.

Roark (3-3) was tagged for eight runs and 12 hits in 3 1/3 innings. Roark, who was making his sixth start this season, had his ERA rise more than a point, from 3.25 to 4.34.

"He was up in the zone a little," Washington manager Matt Williams said. "He had some balls sneak through the infield. It was just not his day."

Roark's rough outing came after Strasburg (5-5) allowed two runs and four hits in his second consecutive solid start since returning from the disabled list. Drew Storen pitched a perfect ninth for his 23rd save.

Dan Uggla had three hits for Washington in the opener, and Michael Taylor went 2 for 4.

Jeff Francoeur homered for the Phillies. Kevin Correia (0-2), making his fourth start for Philadelphia, gave up three runs, one earned, and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.

In the second game, Philadelphia tied a season high for hits in an inning with six in its four-run second. Herrera, Franco and Domonic Brown each had an RBI single, and Gonzalez drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

The Nationals got three back in the fourth. Clint Robinson had an RBI single before Desmond connected for a mammoth 458-foot drive to center for his seventh homer.

But the Phillies scored four more in the bottom half on Franco's two-run single, Darin Ruf's RBI single and Carlos Ruiz's sacrifice fly.

Philadelphia finished with 16 hits, including 15 singles. Ruiz was the only starter not to get a hit.

IRON MEN

Hernandez, Franco and Cody Asche played both games for the Phillies, combining for 11 hits. Hernandez went 6 for 8.

Taylor, Danny Espinosa and Desmond played both for the Nationals. Espinosa went 0 for 9.

MORE ON MACK

Mackanin improved to 54-55 as an interim manager in his third stint in the role with the Phillies (1-2), Pirates (12-14) and Reds (41-39).

TRAINER'S ROOM

Nationals: INF Yunel Escobar (bruised left hand) returned to the lineup in the second game. He didn't play in the opener after getting hit by a pitch on Friday night. ... OF Bryce Harper (hamstring) and Denard Span (back spasms) returned for the opener. Harper had missed the previous two games while Span sat out Friday night. Neither played in the nightcap.

UP NEXT

Nationals: After an off day, Washington opens a series at Atlanta on Tuesday with RHP Jordan Zimmermann (5-5, 3.42 ERA) facing Braves RHP Shelby Miller (5-3, 1.94 ERA).

Phillies: Philadelphia begins a four-game home series Monday night against the Brewers, with RHP Sean O'Sullivan (1-5, 5.34 ERA) opposing Milwaukee RHP Jimmy Nelson (4-8, 4.34 ERA).