Roy Halladay gave up three solo home runs to the Washington Nationals down in D.C. Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez, meanwhile, went back-to-back in the fourth in a see-saw game that saw the Phillies take the lead for good in the seventh. With Polanco on first, Jim Riggleman went to a lefty reliever who has been death on lefties. Charlie Manuel, however, had just this scenario mind when he bunched his big lefty hitters together. Utley walked, Howard singled in Polanco to tie the game, then Ibanez hit a sac fly to score Utley and give the Phils the 5-4 lead. Halladay worked out of a dicey bottom of the seventh, then turned it over to the bullpen.
Halladay is now 10-0 lifetime against the Nationals/Expos. Ryan Madson pitched the ninth for the save. He is now 12 for 12 in save opportunities. It's hot and humid here and everywhere.
Vance Worley was optioned down to Lehigh Valley to get himself together.
