Howard's homer in 14th inning lifts Phils over Nats

Jul 26, 2007, 4:30 GMT

Philadelphia, PA - Ryan Howard hit a towering two-run homer in the bottom of the 14th inning, as the Philadelphia Phillies salvaged a 7-5 win over the Washington Nationals in the middle contest of a three-game set at Citizen's Bank Park.

The Phillies held a two-run lead in the ninth, but the Nationals got to Antonio Alfonseca for three runs to turn the tables.

Down 4-2 with one out in the ninth, Ryan Church doubled off Alfonseca and Brian Schneider followed with a walk. Pinch-hitter Tony Batista then ripped a double off the wall in right-center field that scored Church.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel had seen enough of Alfonseca, but pinch-hitter Jesus Flores greeted Mike Zagurski with a double to right that chased home both the tying and go-ahead runs.

With the Phils down to their final out, Jimmy Rollins lofted a a ball to the left-center gap that should have given Washington the win. However, left-fielder Church and center fielder Ryan Langerhans nearly collided, with Church dropping the ball.

Rollins legged out a triple on the play and shortstop Felipe Lopez couldn't handle Church's errant throw cleanly, giving Rollins a chance to score. Lopez collected the ball and his throw home beat Rollins to the plate, but catcher Schneider couldn't make the catch-and-tag as Philadelphia tied the game to force extra innings.

The scoring went silent from there, until Howard got a hold of one in the 14th. Chase Utley led off with a walk before Howard turned on a Chris Booker (0-1) offering and launched it into the second deck in right field to end the marathon.

Wes Helms knocked in a pair of runs for the Phillies, who have won five straight and will go for the sweep of Washington on Thursday.

Cole Hamels was in line to pick up his 12th win of the season before the Phillies' bullpen gave it away in the ninth. The lanky southpaw gave up just two runs on six hits through seven innings, striking out six and walking one. Clay Condrey (4-0) picked up the win after tossing three scoreless frames in relief.

Ronnie Belliard went 2-for-7 with a solo home run for the Nationals, who had won four of five before arriving in the City of Brotherly Love.

Washington starter Matt Chico lasted just 4 2/3 innings, yielding four runs on six hits.

The Nationals struck first as Nook Logan led off the third inning with a single, stole second with one out and then scored on Lopez's single to left.

The Phillies, however, answered with three runs in the fourth inning to take the lead.

Shane Victorino led off the fourth with a double and Chico hit Utley and then walked Howard to load the bases. After Aaron Rowand popped out in foul territory, Pat Burrell walked to force in a run and Helms followed with a single that chased home two more.

Philadelphia added another run in the fifth as Victorino and Utley hit back- to-back singles. With two outs, Rowand's fly ball to right fell for a double, scoring Victorino for a 4-1 Philadelphia lead. Burrell walked to load the bases but Chris Schroder took over for Chico and struck out Helms to end the threat.

Belliard's leadoff blast in the sixth brought Washington back within two runs and the Nats rallied in the ninth to take the lead.

In the 10th, Utley and Howard led off with back-to-back walks. The Phils, though, squandered the opportunity. Rowand popped out trying to lay down a bunt, Michael Bourn grounded out to first and pinch-hitter Chris Coste flied out in foul territory.

Utley then walked to start the 12th and Howard followed with a single. Rowand's fly ball to center sent Utley to third, and Washington intentionally walked Bourn to load the bases. The Phillies, down to their last reliever, let Condrey bat and he struck out. Carlos Ruiz followed with a groundout to end the inning.

Game Notes

The Phillies had stolen 21 consecutive bases at home without being caught before Bourn was thrown out trying to steal second in the eighth inning. Bourn had stolen 15 straight bases to start the season...Wednesday's game was the Phillies' 16th sellout of the season...Jose Mesa made his 999th appearance. He needs one more appearance to become the 11th pitcher in MLB history to reach 1,000 games...Howard has 28 home runs on the year.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

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