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Burrell providing offense for slumping Phillies

Aug 19, 2008 - 12:42 PM Washington (44-81) at Philadelphia (66-58) 7:05 p.m. EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Pat Burrell is keeping the sinking Philadelphia Phillies' offense afloat.

Burrell looks to help the Phillies break out of their slump on Tuesday when they open a series against the lowly Washington Nationals.

Philadelphia, which ranks second in the majors with 166 home runs this season, has fallen 1 1/2 games behind the New York Mets (68-57) in the National League East Division following seven losses in their last 11 games. The Phillies have posted a .197 batting average and scored just 32 runs over that span.

The recent slide would be worse without Burrell. The 31-year-old left fielder launched his 29th homer on Sunday - a solo blast - which proved to be the difference in a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Padres. Two days earlier, Burrell's solo homer accounted for the only run in a 1-0 victory during the series opener against the Padres.

Burrell and the rest of the Phillies should get back on track against the Nationals, who have lost 10 straight games en route to the worst record in the majors.

Jason Bergmann (2-9, 4.51 ERA) will try to stop Washington's slide when he takes the mound. Bergmann is coming off his worst start of the season, allowing 10 runs - six earned - and eight hits in only three innings during Wednesday's 12-0 loss to the Mets.

Joe Blanton (1-0, 4.00) makes his sixth start since being acquired by the Phillies from the Oakland Athletics on July 17 when he toes the rubber Tuesday.