Updates on rehab progress of Hellickson and Ross (Nats win 5-3)

PHILADELPHIA - Manager Davey Martinez said No. 5 starter Jeremy Hellickson is steadily working back from the right wrist sprain that landed him on the disabled list Aug. 16. But he noticed one important segment of pitches Hellickson throws that are not yet pain-free. So that will be the biggest hurdle to get over next in his recovery.

"Yeah, he's been throwing. He's been throwing quite a bit," Martinez said. "He's coming along and he feels a lot better every day. He's still a little tender, especially throwing breaking balls. So, he's still got to work on feeling comfortable snapping his breaking ball up there, but he feels a lot better."

Right-hander Joe Ross already has four minor league rehab starts under his belt in August as he continues recovery from last year's Tommy John surgery. Martinez revealed a date that can be marked on the calendar when Ross might be back in a Nats uniform and pitching at the big league level.

"I think Joe is definitely in the picture of coming back, and maybe coming back after Sept. 3. I know he has a couple more rehab starts, and we'll go from there. But he's pitched really well.

"Doing really good. His pitch count is up to about 65, 70 pitches. That's pretty good. I know we got an eye on him and he's doing well. Let's keep it going."

Also up for decision is whether Ross should return as a starter or be eased back into usage as a reliever.

"We will see where we are at, really," Martinez said. "If Hellickson's back and Jefry (Rodriguez) is actually throwing the ball really well. We will have that conversation when we get there."

Update: With two outs in the first, the Nats connected on three consecutive singles to right field to get on the board off of Phillies starter Zach Eflin. Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto each singled to put the Nats up 1-0. Soto's hit gave him the 48th RBI of his rookie season.

In the second, Matt Wieters launched a solo homer to deep right-center field, his sixth of the season. Nats led 2-0.

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg kept the Phillies scoreless in his first two innings. Rhys Hoskins singled in the first but was forced out at second on a fielder's choice to end the frame. Strasburg fired a 1-2-3 second frame.

After two innings, the Nats lead the Phillies 2-0.

Update II: The Phillies made Strasburg labor deep into pitch counts in the second, and that helped to ignite a rally. Nick Williams walked. Later, Roman Quinn hit an RBI triple off the right field wall that scored Williams. After a walk to Hoskins, César Hernández singled to score Quinn.

After three innings, the game is tied 2-2.

Update III: The Nats regained the lead in the fourth, due to some timely hits and some less-than-stellar defense from the Phillies. Two unearned runs crossed the plate, thanks to a pair of walks, two hits and an error by Eflin.

With the bases loaded, Soto scored on Eflin's error on a Strasburg bunt attempt. Trea Turner provided a bloop single to left field that scored Wilmer Difo. The single dropped in front of Hoskins when the left fielder didn't charge the ball well enough.

Mid-fourth, the Nats lead 4-2.

Update IV: Adam Eaton added a double to score Difo in the sixth. Eflin left after 5 1/3 innings. The Nats have outhit the Phillies 9-3.

Mid-sixth, the Nats lead 5-2.

Update V: Hoskins homered on the first pitch he saw from Ryan Madson to open the eighth. But Madson settled down and recorded three outs in a row.

Mid-eighth, the Nats lead 5-3.

Update VI: Justin Miller tossed a scoreless ninth inning for his first save. The Nats have won two in a row and get back to .500 at 66-66, gaining half a game on the idle Braves. They are now 7-7 against the Phillies this season.

Final score: The Nats 5, the Phillies 3.