Phillies 4, Nationals 2: Kyle Kendrick tossed 6 2/3 solid innings and Jimmy Rollins had two hits and two RBIs as host Philadelphia held on to win the opener of a three-game series against National League East leader Washington.

Chase Utley staked Kendrick to a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the first and Rollins put the Phillies ahead by three with a two-run single in the fourth. Kendrick (7-9) made it stand up, stretching his scoreless streak to 21 2/3 innings before Tyler Moore's pinch-hit homer cut the lead to 3-2 in the seventh. He allowed four hits.

The Nationals threatened again in the eighth when they had two on with one out before Raul Valdes struck out Adam LaRoche and B.J. Rosenberg got former Phillie Jayson Werth swinging. Ryan Howard's RBI single an inning later provided some insurance for closer Jonathan Papelbon, who worked a scoreless ninth for his 28th save.

Danny Espinosa led off the ninth with a single but was caught stealing for the first out of the inning. Phillies catchers lead the majors with 36 runners caught stealing this season.

Washington starter Edwin Jackson (7-9) allowed three runs and seven hits over six innings in his second consecutive tough-luck loss. He struck out eight but fell to 0-4 all-time against the Phillies.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kendrick has two streaks of 20 or more scoreless frames this season. … Washington INF Ian Desmond was a late scratch because of a right knee injury. … Nationals OF Michael Morse left with a bruised right hand after being hit by a pitch. … The Nationals extended pinch-hitter Chad Tracy's contract through the 2013 season. … The Phillies used four pitchers in the eighth inning and struck out the side.