Nationals 6, Phillies 2 (11): Ian Desmond hit a grand-slam homer with one out in the top of the 11th inning as visiting Washington defeated Philadelphia to avert a three-game sweep.

The Nationals loaded the bases against Michael Stutes (2-1) with a double and two walks before Desmond smacked a 2-2 slider over the left-center field fence. Desmond is 17-for-40 with 38 RBIs with the bases loaded but the slam was the first of his career and made a winner out of reliever Drew Storen (2-1).

Washington’s Jayson Werth drove in two runs, including a two-out single to left in the ninth to tie the score at 2. The blown save was the second in 16 chances for Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Philadelphia starter Kyle Kendrick and Washington’s Gio Gonzalez were both tremendous. Kendrick allowed one run, two hits and struck out six in 7 2/3 innings, while Gonzalez struck out a season-high 11 and gave up two runs and two hits in seven innings.

Gonzalez walked Ben Revere to start the game and Michael Young followed with a blast over the left-field fence to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead and raise his career RBI total to 1,001. Werth had a run-scoring single to right in the seventh prior to delivering the clutch single in the ninth.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Gonzalez last won on May 5 and is in the midst of an eight-start winless streak. … Philadelphia 2B Chase Utley (oblique) began a rehab stint with Double-A Reading on Wednesday and could return to the Phillies over the weekend. … Washington activated 2B Danny Espinosa (wrist) from the disabled list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse.