It looked for a while Sunday afternoon that the Phillies would welcome second-place Atlanta to Philly while clinging to only a two-game lead.
Instead the Phightins fought to the end and wound up preserving their three-game lead by taking a 7-6 come-from-behind win over the Washington Nationals.
The final blow was thanks to the Phils’ bearded outfielder.
Jayson Werth hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning after Ryan Howard had a two-run single to lift the Phillies to their seventh straight win.
Werth's homer off Drew Storen helped the Phillies maintain their lead in the NL East over the Braves. The teams begin a three-game series in Philadelphia on Monday night with co-ace Cole Hamels facing Jair Jurrjens in the opener.
Storen, who has blown two of six save opportunities, entered the ninth with a three-run lead. He gave up a leadoff single to Placido Polanco and a double to Chase Utley. Howard followed with his hit to make it 6-5.
Werth, who had three hits, three RBI and two runs scored, hit a full-count fastball over the 409-foot sign in center field to end the game in walk-off style.
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Rookie Vance Worley worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn his first Major League win.
Phillies starter Joe Blanton cruised into the sixth inning having given up just one run but he gave up a three-run homer to Nats outfielder Michael Morse to put the Phillies in a 4-3 hole.
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