Top Moment #10: Werth Walks it Off for Lucky No. 7

It was a mighty fine precursor to a huge series with the Braves in mid-September.

Jayson Werth launched a walk-off two-run home run for the Phillies, as they completed a four-run ninth-inning comeback over the Washington Nationals to win 7-6. Werth’s blast catapulted them to a three-game advantage over Atlanta in the division just before the two teams would meet.

The ninth inning began with three straight base hits (a leadoff single by Placido Polanco, a double by Chase Utley, and a two-run single by Ryan Howard) before Werth sealed the deal off of Nats closer Drew Storen.

Although there was a happy ending here, it didn’t begin that way. The Phillies were forced to rally because of a lacking offense, middle-inning madness from their starter Joe Blanton, and a leaky bullpen.

Blanton would allow three runs in the sixth inning – four all told – on a Mike Morse blast into the seats.  Blanton handed the ball to Danys Baez who got through the seventh, but not without allowing another run, which pushed the Nats lead to 5-3. In the eighth, J.C. Romero

got two batters out, and allowed one more run to make it 6-3.

The Phillies managed two runs in the fourth on two singles and a double. They tallied another in the fifth by using small ball: Plaicdo Polanco was hit by a pitch to start and then stole second with two outs. He was brought home by Werth on a single.

In the end, Werth would finish it out, leading into the Braves series on September 20. If you recall, the Phils would sweep them at CBP to take a six game lead in the division. And the rest was history.

(Photo: CSN Philly)