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Rowand blasts Phillies past Nationals

Jul 25, 2007 - 4:38 AM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Aaron Rowand hit a solo home run to left field with two outs in the eighth to snap a tie and propel the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.

The All-Star center fielder had three of the Phillies' seven hits and all three, including a pair of doubles, went for extra bases.

Rowand has been torrid at the plate, hitting .439 with 14 doubles and 12 RBI in his last 14 games. With the team in need of pitching - it has the NL's best offense, the outfielder has been the subject of trade talks. The consummate professional, Rowand stressed the importance of staying focused on winning.

"I expect to be here all season, Rowand said. "I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about trying to win games and getting to the postseason.

"Aaron's been really swinging it well, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. He's been hitting it hard all over the field.

Philadelphia had just two hits after the fourth inning, both by Rowand. He scored three of the Phils' four runs, including the tying run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Pat Burrell.

It was a real good game, Washington manager Manny Acta said. Rowand is having a great year and he had a big night.

Washington scored all its runs on a three-run double by Brian Schneider in the fourth. The catcher, who grew up in the nearby Lehigh Valley, ripped the first pitch he saw from Philadelphia starter rookie Kyle Kendrick into the left-center field gap to clear the bases and put the visitors up, 3-2.

The Phillies, meanwhile, scored single runs in the second, third and sixth, relying on timely and situational hitting to keep the game close.

Carlos Ruiz put the Phillies on the board with his two-out, RBI double in the second and Jimmy Rollins slammed his 20th home run of the season into the seats in right to make it 2-0 after three.

Both teams received strong outings from their bullpens. Billy Traber gave the Nationals a solid performance in relief of starter Jason Bergmann, who left the game with one out in the third with left hamstring tightness.

Traber surrendered one run in three innings before being replaced in the sixth. Chris Booker, Saul Rivera, Ray King kept the game tied into the eighth before Luis Ayala (0-2) yielded Rowand's game-winning blast.

Bergmann, who tweaked his hamstring trying to score from second on a Ronnie Belliard single in the third, allowed two earned runs in 2 1/3 innings.

It's a little sore, Bergmann said. I felt it right away it felt like a little charley horse.

J.C. Romero and Ryan Madson (2-2) combined for 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief for the Phillies. Antonio Alfonseca pitched the ninth for his eighth save.

Other than the shaky fourth inning, Kendrick pitched effectively, allowing three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. The Phillies improved to 6-2 when he starts.

My command was a little off, Kendrick said. I tried to keep us in the game and it was a good win for us tonight.