Instant analysis: Nats 6, Phillies 2 (11)

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Gio Gonzalez was brilliant after allowing a first-inning homer.

Game in a nutshell: Desperately in need of a win to avoid a series sweep and to at least end a rough trip on a high-note, the Nationals found themselves engaged in an all-too-familiar ballgame. They got a great pitching performance, with Gio Gonzalez allowing a first-inning homer to Michael Young but nothing else the rest of the way. And they supported their starter with practically nothing in the way of run support. Kyle Kendrick held this woebegone lineup to two hits over 7 2/3 innings, the one run finally coming in the top of the seventh on Jayson Werth's two-out, RBI single to right. Werth then delivered one of the biggest hits of the season, a two-out RBI single off Jonathan Papelbon in the top of the ninth, tying this game 2-2 and giving the Nationals new life. They had chances in both the ninth and 10th to push across the go-ahead run but stranded a man on third base each time. They got yet another chance in the 11th, and this time they pulled it off. In grand style. Ian Desmond crushed the Nats' first grand slam of the season, taking Michael Stutes deep to complete a dramatic rally and send the Nationals home happy with one of their best wins of the year.

Hitting highlight: There were nothing but lowlights for most of the night, but Desmond certainly made up for it with a major highlight
at the end. He had already struck out miserably in the top of the ninth with two on and two out. This time, he stepped up with the bases loaded and one out against Stutes, then dug himself into a huge hole, swinging and missing the first two pitches. With the count 1-2, Desmond took a borderline pitch that was called a ball by plate umpire Alfonso Marquez, much to the chagrin of Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. Then he took advantage of the fortuitous break. Stutes' 2-2 slider wound up in the left-field bleachers, the first grand slam of Desmond's career and the first extra-inning grand slam in Nationals history.

Pitching highlight: The way this evening began, Gonzalez looked to be in serious trouble. Only nine pitches in, he already had surrendered a leadoff single to Ben Revere and a two-run homer to Michael Young. But give the left-hander credit. He blocked out his teammates' offensive woes, refocused on the task at hand and put forth probably his best starts of the season. Gonzalez didn't allow another hit before departing for the night. He issued two walks, but neither was damaging. And he struck out a season-high 11 batters. It was a stunningly good effort by Gio, yet sadly one that won't get enough praise because he didn't get the win. That's a real shame, because he certainly deserved better.

Key stat: Gio Gonzalez, Tyler Clippard, Ian Krol and Drew Storen combined to record 29 consecutive outs without surrendering a hit from the first through the 10th innings.

Up next: After a long and often frustrating road trip, the Nats return home Thursday night to open a four-game series with the Rockies. Jordan Zimmermann faces Roy Oswalt (making his first start for Colorado) at 7:05 p.m.