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Phillies take on Nationals in opener of three-game set

Aug 14, 2007 - 1:37 PM Philadelphia (62-55) at Washington (54-64) 7:05 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Phillies will look to start another series off on the right foot when they open a three-game set at the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.

The Phillies, who have won each of their last two series after taking the opening game, sit three games behind the New York Mets in the National League East.

Kyle Lohse (7-12, 4.46 ERA) will take the mound after getting his first win in a Phillies uniform last time out. He was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for pitcher Matt Maloney at the trade deadline.

Lohse allowed four runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings as Philadelphia captured a 6-4 decision over the Florida Marlins on Wednesday. The 28-year-old bounced back from an abbreviated start against the Chicago Cubs on August 2, when he was struck in the forearm by a line drive in opening frame.

The righthander has faced Washington once this season. As a member of the Reds, he surrendered seven runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings of a 12-7 loss on May 23.

Shawn Hill (3-3, 2.70) was suppose to make one more rehab start before rejoining the Nationals. However, the 26-year-old will make his first start since May 11 when he left the game after five innings with elbow pain. Hill had not surrendered a hit and struck out five before suffering the injury. The Nationals went on to win the game over the Marlins, 6-0.

Hill has faced the Phillies once this season, allowing two runs and four hits over eight innings. The righthander struck out three and walked two as Washington won, 4-2, on April 26.