Redding's two RBIs, strong outing lift Nats

Nationals 4, Phillies 2

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Like any pitcher, Tim Redding was thrilled about driving in the game-winning run. He was happier, though, about his pitching and his bullpen saving his second win since 2004.

Redding's two-run double in the second gave the Washington Nationals the lead and he made it stand up, allowing two runs and three hits in six-plus innings in a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.

"He was pretty good," Philadelphia's Aaron Rowand said. "He's sneaky and he moves the ball around. And his fastball jumps on you."

Redding (2-3) gave up a leadoff home run to Jayson Werth in the third, a single in the fourth to Ryan Howard and single in the seventh to Wes Helms. He struck out seven and walked three in winning for the first time in six starts.

But it was hard not to come back to the hit, Redding's second of the season, and the RBIs, his first since June 19, 2003.

Dmitri Young led off the second with a single against Kyle Kendrick. Austin Kearns hit into a fielder's choice and Ryan Church walked. Brian Schneider grounded to Howard at first and his indecision led to Schneider being safe to load the bases.

Nook Logan fouled out, but Redding doubled over third base to score Kearns and Church.

"It was awesome to get it. A blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while," Redding said. "It was a situation where I was hoping he was going to throw a first-pitch fastball -- and I guessed right."

Washington manager Manny Acta said Redding's teammates encouraged him by yelling 'Help yourself out.'"

Redding did -- and his teammates appreciated it.

"Any time a pitcher gets a hit, it's a big deal," Kearns said.

Redding, whose first start with the Nationals didn't come until July 3, has a 2.88 ERA despite winning just twice in eight starts.

He retired the first six batters before Werth's home run, and didn't run into trouble until the sixth, when he walked Jimmy Rollins and Pat Burrell before getting Howard to ground out.

Washington added two runs in the sixth. Ryan Zimmerman led off with a double and moved to third on a single by Young. Kearns hit into a double play to score Zimmerman. Church followed with a long home run into the upper deck in right field, his 10th of the season.

Kendrick (5-3) was removed after the home run. He allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Chad Cordero worked a perfect ninth for his 27th save.

In the seventh, Redding walked Rowand and gave up a single to Helms before being replaced by Saul Rivera, who promptly walked Werth to load the bases.

Rivera gave up a run-scoring single to Chris Coste before giving way to Ray King, who struck out pinch-hitter Russell Branyan and Rollins. King, who normally comes in to face just one batter was left in to face the switch-hitting Rollins, and savored the opportunity.

"Get in and get out -- before they figure you out," King said.

Luis Ayala threw one pitch and retired Tadahito Iguchi on a fielder's choice, then worked a scoreless eighth.

"Coming in with the bases loaded and nobody out and only one run scoring -- that's dynamite," Redding said. "You can't ask for anything better than that."

Even though the Phillies have managed a split in the first two games, they've been limited to nine hits.

"The last two nights we've had good pitching thrown against us, but at the same time, you know, the last two games we just haven't hit the ball," manager Charlie Manuel said.

"We'll get 'em tomorrow. We'll bounce back and everything will be OK. We've got some baseball to play yet," Manuel said.

Game notes
The Phillies placed RHP Adam Eaton on the 15-day DL and recalled LHP Mike Zagurski from Triple-A Ottawa. Philadelphia replaced Eaton in the rotation with RHP J.D. Durbin, who will start Friday in Pittsburgh. ... Phillies OF Shane Victorino, on the DL with a strained right calf, had his rehabilitation assignment curtailed when he was re-injured Tuesday night in a game with Double-A Reading.