By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Final: Nationals 4, Phillies 0 ❖ Attendance: 16,056
PHILADELPHIA — For the second time this season, the Philadelphia Phillies (60-71) were shut out by RHP Tanner Roark and the Washington Nationals, falling 4-0 Monday evening in the series opener at Citizens Bank Park.
Roark threw seven shutout innings, limiting the Phillies to just four singles and a walk while striking out five. It was his eight start of the season throwing seven or more shutout innings, and his outing tonight improved his career record against Pete Mackanin's club to 5-5 with a 3.81 ERA. Phillies rookie RHP Jake Thompson suffered the losing decision, however he threw a career-high seven innings on the mound.
Overall, the Phillies have been blanked by their opponents seven times this season and have dropped seven straight to the National League East division leaders dating back to May 30.
The Nationals took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. After leadoff batter Trea Turner grounded out to second, left fielder Jayson Werth went yard off Thompson for his 19th home run of the season and the 18th of his career against Phillies pitching. The only only club Werth has homered more against during his 14-year career is the Atlanta Braves with 19.
Two batters later, following a walk by right fielder Bryce Harper, third baseman Anthony Rendon laced a RBI single to center field, scoring the defending Most Valuable Player for the Nationals' second run.
Thompson went on to throw seven innings on 111 pitches (64 strikes) with seven hits, two runs and one walk allowed. He did not record a strikeout until the seventh inning, where he went on to punch out three Nationals batters: first baseman Clint Robinson and shortstop Danny Espinosa swinging, and later Turner looking for the final out of the frame.
The game would remain 2-0 in favor of the Nationals until the top of the ninth, with Phillies RHP Frank Herrmann on the mound. Rendon struck out swinging to start the inning, but reached at first on a passed ball by catcher Cameron Rupp. Rendon later advanced to third on a throwing error by Herrmann and scored as Robinson hit a RBI single to right. Three batters later, Turner hit a RBI single to left to give Washington a four-run advantage.
The Phillies went down 1-2-3 in the ninth against former Pirates RHP Mark Melancon.
Game Notes:
- Phillies RISP: 0-3, LOB: 4;
Nationals RISP: 2-5, LOB 7 - Umpires: HP Quinn Wolcott, 1B Clint Fagan, 2B Mark Carlson, 3B Brian Gorman
- Time of Game: 2 hours, 58 minutes
Right-handers Max Scherzer and Jerad Eickhoff square off as the Phillies look to climb over the .500 mark for the month of August, with 12 wins and 12 losses each through 24 games. (Time: 7:05 p.m.; TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP).
