Nats Snap Phillies Win Streak

Scott Olsen pitched neatly into the sixth inning and Washington's beleaguered bullpen held on as the Nationals snapped the Philadelphia Phillies' five-game winning streak with a 4-1 victory Wednesday night.

Olsen allowed one run and six hits, striking out six. The left-hander shut down an offense that scored 33 runs in the previous three games, including 20 against Nationals pitching.

The Nationals, who have the worst record in the majors at 5-15, avoided being swept for the fourth time this month. They got a rare flawless performance from a relief corps that has blown six saves and is a combined 0-7.

Garrett Mock pitched 1 1-3 hitless innings, Kip Wells worked the eighth and Julian Tavarez finished for his first save since May 28, 2006, for Boston.

Anderson Hernandez had three hits and drove in two runs for Washington.

Shane Victorino hit a solo homer for the Phillies. Brett Myers gave up three runs and eight hits in six innings.

Elijah Dukes and Hernandez hit RBI singles in the sixth to put the Nats ahead 3-1. Ryan Zimmerman led off the inning with a double to left-center, extending his hitting streak to 18 games.

After Adam Dunn struck out, Dukes hit a grounder up the middle to score Zimmerman. Hernandez hit a two-out single to right-center to drive in Dukes.

Olsen left after allowing singles to Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez in the sixth. Mock came in and retired Pedro Feliz on a fly ball to end the threat.

Victorino hit a liner to the seats in left to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the first. Olsen struck out four in a row after the homer and six of the next eight batters.

The Nationals tied it at 1 in the third when Myers had control problems. After Hernandez hit a one-out double, Myers walked Olsen. He walked Nick Johnson to load the bases with two outs and walked Zimmerman to force in a run.

Olsen pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth, retiring Chris Coste on a grounder to third to end the inning. Zimmerman made a fine play going to his right, and his strong throw to first beat the slow-footed Coste.

Olsen has pitched well in his last three outings after two poor starts.