PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Philadelphia's offense sprang to life in the third inning to score six runs and send the Phillies to a 7-3 win over the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday.
The Phillies sent 10 men to the plate in the third inning, where Shane Victorino smacked a two-run homerun and Raul Ibanez had a two-run double.
Nationals starter John Lannan allowed the first six batters to reach base before being relieved without recording an out in the inning. He was tagged for all six runs scored.
The Nationals hit back with two runs at the top of the fourth but Ibanez's solo homer in the fifth inning restored the Phillies' five-run lead.
Ibanez went 8-for-11 in the three game sweep of the Nationals to end a prolonged slump at the plate.
"He's got a shorter swing, quicker bat," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel told reporters of Ibanez.
"He's staying on the ball good. He's more selective. He's relaxed. And the biggest thing is he's getting hits."
Former Phillie Jayson Werth drove in Washington's third run in the eighth with a sacrifice fly.
Phillies starter Roy Halladay allowed two runs on six hits and struck out 10 in seven innings, improving his record to 5-1 this season.
Nats starter Lannan, who is 0-10 in his career against the Phillies, lasted just two-plus innings and allowed seven hits, a walk and struck out one to fall to 2-4 this season.
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Patrick Johnston).
