Murphy breaks scoreless streak vs. Phillies (Nats win 4-3)

PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals have had all kinds of trouble producing against the Phillies over the last month. But at least they can count on their most reliable offensive threat to deliver for them, no matter the opponent.

Daniel Murphy has provided all of the Nats' offense so far tonight at Citizens Bank Park, doubling in the top of the second and then homering in the top of the fourth, knotting up this series opener at 1-1.

Murphy drove Jeremy Hellickson's 0-1 pitch over the out-of-town scoreboard in right-center, his eighth homer of the season. That leaves him way ahead of pace to shatter his career-high of 14 homers.

And combined with his earlier double, Murphy has now raised his batting average to an MLB-best .394. The odds of the veteran second baseman maintaining this all year seems remote, but the mere fact he's been able to keep it up through Memorial Day is remarkable itself.

The Nationals have needed Murphy's production, because nobody else has been able to touch Hellickson so far. The journeyman right-hander has retired the other 12 batters he's faced so far, four via strikeout.

Until Murphy's homer, the Nats hadn't scored in their last 25 innings against the Phillies, dating back to last month's surprising series sweep on South Capitol Street.

Tanner Roark has been able to keep this game tied with some effective early work. The lone run he has allowed came without benefit of a hit.

Roark walked both Cesar Hernandez and Tyler Goeddel in the bottom of the second, with Hernandez stealing second and taking third on a wild pitch. Hellickson's well-executed safety squeeze brought home Hernandez with the night's first run.

Update: The Phillies are back on top, 2-1, after six innings thanks to Freddy Galvis' solo homer off Roark. Galvis reached down and poked a 1-2 curveball over the right field wall, breaking the deadlock. The Nats, meanwhile, have done nothing against Hellickson except for Murphy (who is 2-for-2). Everybody else is 0-for-18.

Update II: Uh-oh, Bryce Harper had to leave the game after getting hit by a pitch on the outside of his right knee in the top of the seventh. Harper initially stayed in but departed after having to dive back four times on pickoff attempts and then getting doubled up on Murphy's lineout to left field. Chris Heisey has taken over in right field.

Update III: Wow, the Nats have stormed back to take a 4-2 lead in the eighth. They took advantage of three walks from Hector Neris and then clutch, two-out hits by Jayson Werth (single to left) and Murphy (two-run single to right) to tie and then take the lead. Murphy is now 3-for-4 tonight and sports a .395 batting average. He is a beast.

Update IV: Nats win, 4-3. It got dicey in the ninth, with Jonathan Papelbon giving up back-to-back doubles to open the frame. But the ex-Phillies closer pitched his way out of the self-induced jam, ultimately securing his 14th save in 16 tries.