PHILADELPHIA — Derek Hill hit a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning and Bryce Harper added a two-run homer as the Philadelphia Phillies pulled away from the Washington Nationals for a 6-3 win Monday night at Citizens Bank Park.
Nationals right-hander Zack Littell kept Washington within striking distance for much of the night before the bullpen faltered in the seventh. Reliever Tom Cosgrove (0-1) surrendered the go-ahead slam to Hill, who added a running, tumbling catch in right-center in the eighth inning for good measure — his ninth home run of the season. Kyle Backhus (2-1) picked up the win with a scoreless seventh for Philadelphia, and Jhoan Duran closed it out with a scoreless ninth for his 25th save.
The Nationals managed six hits but couldn’t string together enough offense against Aaron Nola and the Phillies bullpen, falling to 55-59 on the season. Philadelphia improved to 60-53 with its third straight win in front of 41,115 at Citizens Bank Park.
Washington and Philadelphia continue the series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, with the Nationals looking to bounce back on the road at 55-59.