Washington, DC (My Sportsbook) - Jimmy Rollins extended his franchise-best hitting streak to 34 games with a 2-for-5 game and Ryan Howard added a solo homer, as the Philadelphia Phillies edged the Washington Nationals, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game series at RFK Stadium.

Chase Utley went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Phillies, who kept their NL wild card hopes alive. Philadelphia drew within one game of wild card-leading Houston with two games remaining in the regular season. The Astros lost to the Chicago Cubs on Friday night, 4-3.

Cory Lidle (13-11) picked up the win, allowing just two runs -- one earned -- on six hits in 6 2/3 innings. Lidle also struck out eight batters and walked one.

Billy Wagner picked up his 37th save despite giving up a run in 1 1/3 innings.

Livan Hernandez (15-10) was saddled with the loss after surrendering four runs and 10 hits in seven innings.

The Nationals jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Brad Wilkerson doubled leading off and eventually scored on a grounder. The Phillies tied the game in the top of the second on Howard's 21st homer of the year.

Philadelphia went ahead 3-1 in the third frame. Rollins extended his hit streak with a leadoff single and then stole second. After Kenny Lofton struck out, Utley plated Rollins with a single. Utley would also steal second and scored on Pat Burrell's two-out double.

Washington cut the deficit to 3-2 in the fourth when Ryan Church was safe at first on the shortstop Rollins' throwing error, allowing Preston Wilson to score from second.

Philadelphia restored its two-run advantage in the sixth on an RBI single by Lofton.

Wagner relieved Ugueth Urbina in the eighth with two outs and runners at first and second. The closer struck out Cristian Guzman on three pitches to end the threat.

Marlon Byrd doubled with one out in the ninth before Wilkerson was hit by a pitch. The Nationals pulled off a double steal and Byrd raced home on Jamey Carroll's grounder to make it 4-3. However, Wagner got Nick Johnson to pop up and end the game.

Game Notes

Rollins' hitting streak is the longest in the majors since Florida's Luis Castillo hit in 35 straight during the 2002 campaign...The Nationals dropped to 41-38 in their inaugural season at RFK Stadium...Each team left nine runners on base...The Phillies lead the season series, 9-8...Philadelphia moved above the .500 mark on the road this season (40-39).