Nationals top Phillies for 4th straight win

Wilmer Difo singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Washington Nationals went on to beat the visiting Philadelphia Phillies 5-2 on Wednesday night. The National League wild-card leaders maintained their one-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers, who defeated the Cincinnati Reds.

Howie Kendrick and Brian Dozier homered for the Nationals, who have won four straight. Washington trailed 2-1 when Asdrubal Cabrera singled with one out in the seventh to chase Phillies starter, Drew Smyly. Yan Gomes doubled down the right-field line off reliever Mike Morin (1-3), putting runners on second and third. Cabrera scored on a sacrifice fly by Victor Robles, and Difo followed with a single to right-center to bring home Gomes.

Difo was making his first start since May 16. Nationals starter Anibal Sanchez (11-8) allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings. He struck out seven without a walk. Sean Doolittle pitched a scoreless ninth inning with three strikeouts for his 29th save and first since Aug. 16.

Smyly allowed two runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings and struck out a season-high 10 batters. Philadelphia's Brad Miller gave the Phillies a 2-1 lead with a solo homer in the top of the seventh, his third in two games. The Phillies have lost five straight and seven of their last eight.

One day after clinching a playoff spot, Nationals manager Dave Martinez rested shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman, Anthony Rendon. The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Bryce Harper (two hits) doubled and scored on a single by Rhys Hoskins.

Kendrick tied it in the bottom half when he lined a Smyly offering into the Phillies' bullpen for his 17th homer of the season, one shy of his career-high. Miller led off the seventh with a shot into the second deck in right off Sanchez for his 11th of the season.