WASHINGTON -- The Phillies snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday afternoon.
Cesar Hernandez had the game's big hit, a tie-breaking, two-run homer against Joe Blanton with one out in the top of the eighth inning. Freddy Galvis, who had been hit by a pitch leading off the inning, was on base.
Hernandez' homer made a winner out of Jeremy Hellickson, who is now 2-0 in three starts.
The Phillies are 4-7 on the season and 3-2 against the Nats.
Starting pitching report
Hellickson became just the second Phillies starter (joining Jerad Eickhoff) to go seven innings this season. He gave up two runs on four hits and a walk. He struck out two. The right-hander took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh before giving up a one-out, game-tying homer to Chris Heisey on a 1-1 changeup.
Phillies starting pitchers came into the game averaging just five innings per start over the first 10 games.
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Tanner Roark continued to be tough on the Phillies. He gave up just four hits and two runs over seven walk-free innings and struck out three. Last year, Roark made five starts against the Phils and allowed just three runs in 34 innings.
Bullpen report
Hector Neris pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Joaquin Benoit earned his first save, retiring the meat of Washington's order -- Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman. Benoit has pitched five scoreless innings this season.
Blanton, who helped the Phillies win the World Series in 2008, signed with Washington in the offseason. He has allowed three homers in seven innings this season.
At the plate
Hernandez scored two of the Phillies' four runs. He led off the fourth with a bunt hit and scored on a double by Odubel Herrera. Maikel Franco also drove in a run in that frame, his ninth in 11 games.
Hernandez has two homers this season.
The Phils had just six hits and went down in order five times against Roark.
Anthony Rendon drove in the Nats' first run with a two-out single in the third.
In the field
Phillies leftfielder Howie Kendrick made two difficult catches.
Shortstop Galvis made a nice catch in the eighth inning. He sprinted into foul territory and made the sliding grab.
Pitching plans
The Phillies have not announced a starting pitcher for Tuesday night in New York, but indications are they will bring up Zach Eflin to make the start in place of injured Clay Buchholz.
Up next
The series concludes on Sunday afternoon. Jerad Eickhoff (0-1, 2.63) opposes Washington lefty Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 0.69).
