The Washington Nationals will look to get their eighth win of their last eleven when they host the visiting Philadelphia Philies Saturday night at 7:15 pm ET.
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Via ESPN:
Washington (25-23) scored its most runs in a week and plated four in an inning for the first time in almost a month in a 5-2 victory over Philadelphia on Friday.
While it might not have been enough for manager Davey Johnson to get his razor out, it was plenty for Jordan Zimmermann, who became the first eight-game winner in the NL.
Johnson said before the game that he wouldn't shave again until his team started hitting. The Nationals totaled nine runs and batted .189 while losing four of five to wrap up their recent West Coast road trip.
"My wife, she probably wants me to take it off, I'm sure she does," Johnson said. "But I might leave it on, see if this is not something strange happening here."
Washington will try to prove Johnson right by providing some run support for Dan Haren (4-5, 5.54 ERA), who has received 20 runs in his wins but four in his losses.
After going 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA over his previous four starts, the right-hander allowed three runs in the first inning and was gone after a four-run fifth in a 13-4 defeat to San Diego on Sunday. He yielded seven runs and nine hits -- two homers.
Haren has posted an 0-3 record and 6.14 ERA in four career starts against Philadelphia.
Michael Young has faced Haren more than any Phillie, batting .328 with one homer in 58 at-bats.
Ryan Howard went 1 for 4 with a double Friday and is batting .381 during a five-game hitting streak, though he hasn't homered in 12 games. He's 1 for 6 with a home run and three strikeouts against Haren.
The Phillies (23-25) missed a chance to reach .500 for the first time since April 14 and pull even with the Nationals for second place in the NL East.
"Obviously, we've kind of been up and down all year," losing pitcher Kyle Kendrick said.
