Phillies Notes: Hernandez getting better by the game

In the first 161 games of his major-league career before Sunday, Phillies infielder Cesar Hernandez had stolen just four bases.

But that number ballooned, relatively, during the Phillies' doubleheader against the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park.

Hernandez started at second base in both games and stole three bases while going a combined 6 for 8 with a run scored.

The Phillies fell to Washington, 3-2, in the first game, and beat the visitors, 8-5, in the second game. That win avoided a sweep by the Nationals, and snapped their eight-game winning streak.

Hernandez, who went 4 for 4 in the second game, is hitting .395 in his last 12 games and has six multi-hit games in that stretch. Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin didn't seem surprised by Hernandez's success at the plate or on the base paths.

"He has some pop in his bat, he has a good idea at the plate," Mackanin said. "He can draw a walk and he can run."

Hernandez reached and stole second twice in the first game, but was stranded both times.

In the second inning of the nightcap, he scored on a Domonic Brown single after singling to left in a well-executed hit-and-run. In the bottom of the fourth, his sacrifice bunt kick-started a four-run frame that ultimately put the Phillies out of the Nationals' reach.

During spring training, Mackanin said the club wasn't sure if Hernandez was ready to be a part-time player. But with Sunday's performance punctuating his recent hot streak, Mackanin's confidence is growing as Hernandez's does.

"He certainly looks like he has a chance to be an everyday player," Mackanin said. "Little by little, he's learning and gaining confidence."

Tommy Joseph, once regarded as the Phillies' top catching prospect, will transition to first base after being hindered by a series of concussions.

The 23-year-old suffered his latest concussion in early May when a foul tip smacked his catching mask. Joseph has not played since. He had his first concussion in 2010 and another two years later.

"It's not a sad day," said Joe Jordan, the Phillies director of player development. "He's healthy. He feels good. Not only the concussion stuff, but there was some vision deficiencies that they were able to address that may have been a result of some of his concussions."

Jordan said Joseph will spend the next two to three weeks on baseball activities, such as fielding ground balls and playing catch.

Joseph will then be sent to Clearwater, Fla., where the Phillies can test him against live pitching. Joseph played 20 games this season with triple-A Lehigh Valley, hitting just .123 in 73 at-bats.

- Jesse Dougherty