By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
Associated Press Sports
updated 10:46 p.m. ET Aug. 1, 2012
WASHINGTON (AP) - Nate Schierholtz found the ideal way to make an excellent first impression on his new teammates.
Scheirholtz homered in his Philadelphia debut, Jimmy Rollins hit two solo shots, and the Phillies received a sharp pitching performance from Vance Worley in a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night.
Rollins and Schierholtz connected on successive pitches in the fifth inning against Edwin Jackson (6-7) to erase a 2-1 deficit. One day after being traded by San Francisco in the deal that sent Hunter Pence to the Giants, Schierholtz started in right field and went 2 for 5.
"It was exciting. For one day, it's been a great group of guys," Schierholtz said. "Everyone welcomed me and I feel at home. It's great to be here."
Schierholtz never complained about going from the pennant-contending Giants to the last-place Phillies. Instead, he's embraced the opportunity to help Philadelphia close a disappointing season with a flourish.
"I think it's important for me on and off the field because this is my family now," he said. "We're a bunch of guys who want to go out and battle and win. That's why I'm here."
With Rollins and Schierholtz leading the way, the Phillies battled back an early 2-0 hole.
"We definitely needed to score some runs, and we did it tonight by home runs," manager Charlie Manuel said.
After hitting the first pitch of the game to the warning track, Rollins homered in the third inning and again in the fifth. Both drives went into the seats in right field, unlike his inside-the-park homer on Tuesday night.
Worley (6-6) gave up two runs, none earned, and six hits in seven innings. The right-hander walked one, didn't get a strikeout for the first time this season but limited Washington to two singles after the second inning.
Newcomer Josh Lindblom entered in relief with one out in the eighth and gave up a single to pinch-hitter Ryan Zimmerman before striking out Michael Morse. Lindblom came over in Tuesday's trade that sent Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Jonathan Papelbon, the fourth Philadelphia reliever, worked the ninth for his 23rd save.
It was the second straight win for the Phillies over the NL East-leading Nationals, and in each game Philadelphia did not permit an earned run. Cole Hamels (11-5) will take the mound Thursday night for the Phillies, who will seek to complete a three-game sweep.
"We've got some life to us," Manuel said. "We're having fun. We've got some guys that are trying to really show something, and hopefully we can get better."
The Nationals finished with seven hits, all singles.
"He gave us all pitches to hit," No. 5 hitter Adam LaRoche said of Worley. "Give him credit. We didn't do anything with it and he kept pounding the zone."
Jackson initially thought he was tipping his pitches to Rollins and Schierholtz, but ultimately decided he was the one at fault for the home runs.
"I just got hurt on balls up in the zone," Jackson said. "I got behind on some counts. There were times I made pitches when I needed to and I had some good
defensive plays behind me, but the three home runs, three solo home runs, two of them were just up, and one, was middle in, he was just ready for it."
Washington took advantage of poor fielding by the Phillies to score two unearned runs in the first inning. After third baseman Kevin Frandsen misplayed a grounder to load the bases with one out, LaRoche singled in a run. Danny Espinoza then hit a potential double-play grounder to second baseman Chase Utley, who botched the underhand throw and barely got the forceout at second as a run scored.
The Nationals missed a chance to add to their lead in the second when Jackson was thrown out at the plate trying to score from second on a two-out single by Bryce Harper.
Erik Kratz led off the third with Philadelphia's first hit, a single, and Worley bunted into a double play while trying to sacrifice. Rollins followed with a drive to right on a 3-1 pitch, and Schierholtz and Utley singled before Ryan Howard struck out.
NOTES: The seven innings tied Worley's longest outing of the season. It was the first time he went seven innings in seven starts since June 21. ... Zimmerman missed a second start with a sore back, but is expected to return to the lineup Thursday. ... The Nationals are talking playoffs. Sort of. The team announced Wednesday that fans who place a deposit on full season ticket plans in 2013 will receive 2012 postseason ticket purchase priority. ... Ross Detwiler starts for the Nationals on Thursday. ... Howard and teammate John Mayberry Jr. each struck out three times.
? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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