Phillies 7, Nationals 4
Up next: vs. Nationals, tonight, 7:05
What went right …
1 Vance machine
There are only four aces in a deck of cards — and on the Phillies’ hyped-up pitching staff. However, rookie Vance Worley (2-0, 0.75 ERA) has been pitching like an ace ever since being called up last week. He failed to give up a run in six innings, while beating the Mets five days ago. The composed rookie gave up just one run to the Nationals and struck out a career-high seven batters. Worley whiffed Nats sluggers Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche twice each.
2 Out of left field
After going 0-for-35 at the plate, Raul Ibanez is five for his last eight. Last night, the Phils left fielder went 3-for-4. He homered and stroked a pair of singles. Brian Schneider, the only Phillie who has made Ibanez look like Andre Ethier, hit two singles. Schneider entered the game hitting a minuscule .147
3 Everybody hits
With the exception of Ryan Howard and Ben Francisco, everyone in the starting lineup — including Worley — had at least one base hit. Jimmy Rollins went 2-for-4 batting out of the lead-off spot for a second straight night and the Phils banged out 11 total hits.
