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Phillies turn to Myers in series opener vs. Nationals

Sep 26, 2006 - 2:38 PM Philadelphia (82-74) at Washington (69-87) 7:05 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Phillies need Brett Myers now more than ever.

Myers goes for his fifth straight win Tuesday when the Phillies open a three-game series with the Washington Nationals.

Philadelphia enters the final six days of the season in a tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the top spot in the wild card standings. The Phillies, who have not made the playoffs since 1993, squandered a major opportunity Monday.

In a makeup game against Houston, Philadelphia held a 4-2 lead in the seventh. But the Phillies' bullpen surrendered three runs in the frame to bring the team's five-game winning streak to a halt.

The Phillies will look to bounce back behind Myers (12-6, 3.94 ERA), who is coming off a sparkling outing Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs. He allowed two runs and six hits and struck out 12 in his first complete game of the season, a 6-2 victory.

The righthander is 6-6 with a 5.46 ERA in his career against the Nationals. He last faced them on August 29, yielding three runs in six frames of a 10-6 win.

After winning three of four against the first-place New York Mets this weekend, Washington will turn to veteran Ramon Ortiz (10-15, 5.40). The Dominican righthander is 0-3 with an 8.28 ERA in his last three outings.

Ortiz has lost both his starts vs. Philadelphia this year, allowing 12 runs in only 7 2/3 innings.