Nationals win again, down Phillies

Washington, DC – Ryan Zimmerman went 3-for-5 with a home run and three runs scored as the Washington Nationals cruised to a 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.

Wilson Ramos went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI and Ian Desmond had two hits and a pair of RBI for the Nationals, who moved within 4 1/2 games of the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL Wild Card spot. The Reds lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-1, on Friday.

"It is great to come away with a win. It is a lot of fun with the way our offense is playing. Everyone, we're playing so well as a team. I feel like we're really clicking on all cylinders," said Ohlendorf.

Ross Ohlendorf (4-0) allowed just one run on five hits over five innings, filling in for Stephen Strasburg, who was a late scratch with forearm tightness.

Carlos Ruiz drove in the lone run for the Phillies, who had won five of their last six entering the contest.

Kyle Kendrick (10-13) was pounded for six runs on eight hits -- two homers -- over 4 1/3 innings.

"I gave up a couple homers, but other than that I had some grounders through the hole. The walks weren't good. I just have to keep making pitches and move on," said Kendrick.

Ruiz singled home Cesar Hernandez in the first inning, but it was all Washington from there.

In the home half, Zimmerman singled and moved to second on a Jayson Werth walk before taking third on Bryce Harper's lineout to right. Desmond followed with a base hit to push Zimmerman across.

Ramos led off the second with a homer and Zimmerman opened the fourth with a longball to make it 3-0.

The Nats broke the game open with a three-run fifth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Desmond ripped a single to third to score Zimmerman. After Adam LaRcohe struck out, Ramos singled home Werth and Harper to make it 6-1.

Game Notes

Washington center fielder Denard Span extended his hitting streak to 24 games ... Zimmerman has seven homers in his last seven games, and nine home runs in September ... The Nats were 4-for-9 with RISP ... Washington has won seven straight ... The Phillies went 2-for-7 with RISP.