By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
Final: Phillies 3, Nationals 0 ❖ Attendance: 24,186
WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the fourth time of the season, the Philadelphia Phillies (11-10) pitching staff has shut out their opponents, defeating left-hander Gio Gonzalez and the division-leading Washington Nationals (14-6) 3-0 Wednesday evening at Nationals Park.
In doing so, the Phillies secured their third consecutive road series victory against National League East division opponents and climbed over the .500 threshold this late into a season for the first time since May 4, 2014.
The Phillies have won five of their last six games, outscoring their opponents 32-23. They will look to secure their first sweep of the season Thursday afternoon in the series finale.
WP: Jeremy Hellickson (2-1, 3.81 ERA) ❖ LP: Gio Gonzalez (1-1, 1.42 ERA) ❖ SV: Jeanmar Gomez (6)
Hub: Game Summary ❖ Starting Pitchers ❖ At the Plate ❖ Bullpen ❖ What's Next
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| PHI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| WSN |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson bounced back from a few rough outings — in which he combined to allow 11 earned runs in 13 innings — by tossing seven shutout innings on just two hits and three walks allowed. One of those hits was a bunt single by shortstop Danny Espinosa in the fifth, the other a ground-rule double by second baseman Daniel Murphy in the second.
The Phillies produced one run each in the top of the sixth (sacrifice fly by first baseman Darin Ruf), seventh (right fielder Peter Bourjos grounding into a fielder's choice) and eighth innings (catcher Carlos Ruiz's third home run of the season).
Phillies right-handers Hector Neris and Jeanmar Gomez tossed two perfect innings in the eighth and ninth, respectively. Gomez earned his sixth save of the season in as many opportunities.
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Hellickson | 7.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 3.81 |
| Gio Gonzalez | 6.1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1.42 |
Phillies
- Odubel Herrera, 1-3, R, 2 BB, .290 AVG
- Darin Ruf: 1-3, RBI, .207 AVG
- Carlos Ruiz: 1-3, R, HR, RBI, BB, .294 AVG
Nationals
- Bryce Harper: 0-2, 2 BB, .318 AVG
- Daniel Murphy: 1-3, 2B, .391 AVG
- Danny Espinosa: 1-2, BB, .182 AVG
Phillies
- Hector Neris (8th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 0.69 ERA
- Jeanmar Gomez (9th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 2.08 ERA
Nationals
- Sammy Solis (7th, 8th): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO, 1 HR, 5.40 ERA
- Blake Treinen (9th): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 1.13 ERA
- Thursday, April 28, 2016: at Washington Nationals, 4:05 p.m.
- Nationals Park
- RHP Aaron Nola (1-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. RHP Tanner Roark (2-2, 2.63 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
