Phillies finish off sweep of Nats

On paper this seemed like a serious mismatch. In this instance, the paper didn't lie.

The Phillies vs. the Washington Nationals?

Sure, that one looks lopsided, but not as much as the Phillies against John Lannan. Or Roy Halladay against the Nationals.

Thursday's 7-3 win over Washington at Citizens Bank Park improved Halladay's record to 5-1 this season, and he is now 10-1 lifetime against the Nationals.

Meanwhile Lannan, who was sent to an early shower, allowed six runs, all earned, in two-plus innings to take the loss. He is now 0-10 lifetime against the Phillies.

Phillies centerfielder Shane Victorino touched off a six-run third inning with a two-run home run to left field. An RBI double by John Mayberry, a two-run double by suddenly sizzling Raul Ibanez, and an RBI single by Wilson Valdez provided the scoring kin the big inning.

Washington's first run came on Wilson Ramos' RBI single in the fourth inning, scoring former Phillie Jayson Werth, who slid underneath the tag of catcher Dane Sardinha on a throw by Ibanez from left field that was on target. Ian Desmond's sacrifice fly brought home the second run.

In truth, Halladay labored a bit (for him). He had thrown 69 pitches through four innings. After that two-run inning, Halladay ended with three shutout frames.

Halladay finished with 10 strikeouts and no walks in seven innings. He threw 23 of 27 first-pitch strikes. Halladay delivered 110 pitches, 81 for strikes, and departed with a 7-2 lead.

This three-game sweep of the Nationals also included the return of Ibanez's bat. He went 8 for 12 with two home runs and five RBIs, and that recent 0-for-35 streak now seems like a distant memory.

So the Phillies (21-9) continue to roll along, and they are just one of two major-league teams that have yet to record double-digit losses.

The other is the Cleveland Indians, and who would have had the Tribe in their single-digit-loss pool?

As surprising as the Indians have been, the Phillies have performed just as expected. For a team that has struggled at times scoring runs and has suffered through several key injuries, the Phils are again setting the pace in the National League.

Now the Phillies will face a stretch of games against their best competition in the NL East.

The Atlanta Braves visit for three games starting Friday night. The Phillies then have three road games each with the Florida Marlins and Braves.

No doubt these teams should provide more resistance than the Nationals, who are 14-17 this season and 1-5 against the Phillies.

Believe it or not, the Phillies have played just five games against teams with current winning records, three against Atlanta and two against Florida.