Redding's Arm, Bat Lift Nats Over Phils

Wednesday, August 15th 2007, 10:03 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Tim Redding drove in a pair of runs and limited Philadelphia to two runs and three hits in six-plus innings, leading the Washington Nationals to a 4-2 victory over the Phillies on Wednesday night.

Redding (2-3) gave up a leadoff home run to Jayson Werth in the third, a single in the fourth to Ryan Howard and single in the seventh to Wes Helms. He struck out seven and walked three in winning for the first time in six starts.

Dmitri Young led off the second with a single off Kyle Kendrick. Austin Kearns hit into a fielder's choice and Ryan Church walked, before Brian Schneider grounded to Howard at first, whose indecision led to Schneider being save and the bases loaded.

Nook Logan fouled out to Howard, but Redding doubled over third base to score Kearns and Church. It was Redding's second hit of the season and his first RBIs since June 19, 2003.

Redding, whose first start with the Nationals didn't come until July 3, has a 2.88 ERA despite winning just twice in eight starts.

He retired the first six Philadelphia batters before Werth's home run, and didn't run into trouble until the sixth, when he walked Jimmy Rollins and Pat Burrell before getting Howard to ground out.

Washington added two runs in the sixth when Ryan Zimmerman led off with a double. Young singled and Zimmerman advanced to third, before Kearns hit into a double play while Zimmerman scored. Church followed with a long home run into the upper deck in right field, his 10th of the season.

Kendrick (5-3) was removed after the home run. He allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 2-3 innings.

Chad Cordero worked a perfect ninth for his 27th save.

In the seventh, Redding walked Aaron Rowand and gave up a single to Helms before being replaced by Saul Rivera, who promptly walked Werth to load the bases.

Rivera gave up a run-scoring single to Chris Coste before giving way to Ray King, who struck out pinch-hitter Russell Branyan and Rollins. Luis Ayala threw one pitch and retired Tadahito Iguchi on a fielder's choice, then worked a scoreless eighth.

Notes: The Phillies placed RHP Adam Eaton on the 15-day disabled list and recalled LHP Mike Zagurski from Triple-A Ottawa. Philadelphia replaced Eaton in the rotation with RHP J.D. Durbin, who'll start Friday in Pittsburgh. ... Phillies OF Shane Victorino, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right calf, had his rehabilitation assignment curtailed when he was re-injured Tuesday night in a game with Double-A Reading.