Pitchers in control early on (Phillies win 4-2)

Right-handers Tanner Roark and Jeremy Hellickson are in a Saturday afternoon pitchers' duel between the Nationals and Phillies.

Roark has not allowed a baserunner in the first three innings, retiring nine straight batters. He struck out the last two he faced in Freddy Galvis and Hellickson.

Hellickson also did well in the first two frames, although the Nats have reached deep right field on lineouts by Anthony Rendon, Daniel Murphy and a flyout by Ryan Zimmerman.

With one out in the third, the Nationals looked to start a rally. Jose Lobaton walked and Roark delivered the first base hit of the game, a single to right. Wilmer Difo struck out looking.

Rendon then calmly served a line drive single into left field to score Lobaton and give the Nationals a 1-0 lead. Harper grounded out to first base to end the inning.

After three innings: the Nationals lead the Phillies 1-0.

Update: The Phillies quickly answered in the fourth with three straight base hits. César Hernández laid down a perfect bunt towards third base and Roark mishandled a dribbler in front of him by Howie Kendrick to get two men on.

Odúbel Herrera then delivered a RBI single to plate Hernández. Kendrick came home on a Maikel Franco groundout to second base.

After four innings, the Phillies lead the Nationals 2-1.

Update II: There have been a lot of loud outs off of Nationals bats today. Finally, one broke through. Chris Heisey, launched a line drive over the left field wall to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh. It was his first homer of the season and first since Sept. 5, 2016, against Atlanta.

Through seven, the Nationals and the Phillies are tied at 2-2.

Update III: César Hernández launched a two-run shot in the eighth to give the Phillies a 4-2 lead. It's the second time today the Phillies answered a Nationals score with two runs. Hernández's homer was his second of the season. Joe Blanton has now allowed a home run in three straight appearances.

Roark finished seven innings, allowed two runs on four hits with no walks and three strikeouts. He tossed 101 pitches, 67 for strikes.

Update IV: In the ninth facing new Phillies closer Joaquín Benoit, Harper grounded out to shortstop. Murphy flew out to center field. He finished 0-for-4, ending his 10-game hit streak. Ryan Zimmerman flew out to second base in foul territory to end the game.

Blanton falls to 0-2.

The Phillies defeat the Nationals 4-2.