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Phillies-Nationals Preview

Aug 1, 2010 - 4:22 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Philadelphia (56-47) at Washington (45-58), 1:35 p.m. EDT

The Philadelphia Phillies arrived in Washington with an eight-game winning streak and high hopes for getting back into the NL East race.

They certainly didn't plan on being swept by the Nationals franchise for the first time in nearly seven years.

Philadelphia looks to avoid that fate Sunday behind Cole Hamels, who has been dominant throughout most of his eight previous appearances at Nationals Park.

The Phillies (56-48) appeared to have reestablished themselves as contenders for a fourth consecutive division title during their recent surge, but their road woes have quickly resurfaced in Washington.

They're 7-20 on the road since May 30, a mark that will likely need to improve if Philadelphia hopes to erase its 3 1/2-game deficit behind first-place Atlanta.

The struggles in Washington are particularly surprising considering the Phillies haven't been swept by the Nationals or Expos anywhere since losing four at Montreal from Aug. 25-28, 2003.

Before this series, Philadelphia had been 15-6 in the nation's capital since the start of 2008, but the Nationals cruised to an 8-1 win Friday and won 7-5 on Ryan Zimmerman's three-run walk-off home run Saturday.

Phillies closer Brad Lidge took the loss, blowing his fourth save in 14 chances and prompting questions for manager Charlie Manuel about a potential change at the back of the bullpen.

"I've heard you guys say that for two ... years now. I hear this and that and this and that," Manuel said. "We try this guy. We try that guy. We try this guy. Then I hear you (say) to me about roles. 'Guys out of their roles.' All night long. Let's just drop it right there. I've heard it - really. Two years I've heard it."

Manuel likely feels better about his starter. Hamels (7-7, 3.48 ERA) has posted a 1.30 ERA in his last four starts - with Philadelphia winning all of them.

The Phillies have also won each of Hamels' last seven starts against the Nationals, and the left-hander is 4-1 with a 1.98 ERA in eight career outings at Washington.

The Nationals counter with John Lannan (2-5, 5.76), who started opening day against the Phillies for Washington but has been pitching for Double-A Harrisburg since June 21.

Lannan was ineffective in his last three starts in the majors before being sent down, going 0-2 with a 10.38 ERA while opponents hit .443 against him.

The left-hander's numbers against Philadelphia aren't any more encouraging; in nine career starts, he's 0-7 with a 6.32 ERA. On opening day April 5, Lannan allowed five runs in 3 2-3 innings of an 11-1 loss.

Lannan has big shoes to fill as he takes the rotation spot of rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg was 5-2 with a 2.32 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 54 1-3 innings before going on the disabled list with shoulder stiffness last week.

The Nationals (46-58) won't have a void in their cleanup spot after opting to keep slugger Adam Dunn through Saturday's trade deadline. Washington dealt closer Matt Capps and infielder Cristian Guzman during the week, but despite rumors, Dunn was in the lineup Saturday night and received a warm ovation.

"That was just one of those special things," Dunn said. "When I retire, that's one of things that'll be at the top of my list to remember."

Dunn is 1 for 15 with eight strikeouts against Hamels.

First baseman Ryan Howard, who is 0 for 13 with eight strikeouts in his last three games, is expected to return to the Phillies lineup after getting Saturday off.