=== Phils and Nationals begin key three-game set ===

(My Sportsbook) - The NL wild card-leading Philadelphia Phillies will look to extend their edge tonight when they begin a three-game series against the Washington Nationals at RFK Stadium.

Philadelphia has won two straight after tallying a 3-1 win over the New York Mets at Shea Stadium on Thursday afternoon. The Phillies maintain a half-game lead over Houston, while leading Florida by 1 1/2 tilts. New York sits 2 1/2 contests behind, while the Nationals are three games out. Philadelphia is also just four games behind front-running Atlanta in the East.

David Bell stroked a two-run single in the first inning and Ryan Howard sealed the victory with a solo home run to straight center in the ninth for the Phillies on Thursday. Bobby Abreu chipped in a pair of hits in the winning effort.

The Phillies got a huge lift from starting pitcher Jon Lieber, who tossed seven strong innings of one-run ball. Lieber (13-12) allowed four hits, did not walk a batter and struck out six to end a personal two-game losing streak.

Ugueth Urbina and Billy Wagner combined to twirl two scoreless frames to finish the gem. Wagner surrendered a walk in the ninth, but managed to tally his 32nd save.

The Phillies did not use left-handed reliever Rheal Cormier, who remains day- to-day with a strained left shoulder.

Philadelphia has been solid on its current 12-game road trip, registering a 5-4 mark. Following this set, the Phillies will return home for 10 straight, including a huge three-game series versus Houston beginning on Monday.

The Phillies will rely on righthander Vicente Padilla to get the job done on the mound tonight. Padilla had a two-game win streak stopped last Sunday against Arizona, allowing four hits and six runs over just three innings. The Nicaraguan hurler struggled with his control, walking four while striking out just two. Padilla is just 2-4 in eight starts since mid-July.

Padilla has tallied a 2-4 mark with a 4.23 ERA against the Nationals in his career. However, Padilla pitched well versus Washington on August 18, surrendering six hits and a run over six innings of a victory.

Washington will counter with lefthander John Halama on the bump. Halama is 0-1 with a 1.46 ERA in four appearances since joining the Nationals via Boston. The southpaw made his first start as a National last Sunday, allowing just three hits and two runs over 5 1/3 innings in a tough-luck loss to St. Louis. Halama's numbers have improved substantially from his Boston output (1-1, 6.18).

Halama has twirled four career innings versus the Phillies, surrendering four hits and two runs. On August 18, Halama twirled a one-hit scoreless frame against Philadelphia.

The Nationals are coming off splitting four contests with the Braves, including a tough 8-7 loss in 10 innings on Thursday. Luis Ayala (8-7) allowed the game-winning solo homer to Andruw Jones in the bottom of the 10th frame.

Vinny Castilla ended 2-for-5 with four RBI for the Nationals, who have dropped four of six. Jose Guillen went 1-for-3 with three runs scored for Washington, which overcame a 7-1 deficit only to lose its 27th one-run game this season. Guillen is four hits short of 1,000 for his career.

Nationals starter Tony Armas Jr. avoided the loss despite surrendering seven runs on seven hits in four innings.

Nationals second baseman Jose Vidro left the game in the fourth inning due to pain in his surgically repaired right knee. Vidro is expected to have an MRI on the injury today and won't likely play this evening.

Washington, which is beginning a 10-game homestand this evening, is 36-26 in its friendly confines on the year.

The Phillies own a slight 7-6 edge in this set in 2005, including a 2-1 mark at RFK. Since the start of the 2003 campaign, Philadelphia is 30-21 against Washington/Montreal.