Philadelphia,PA -- (Sports Network) - Joel Hanrahan navigated two innings for his fourth save after Austin Kearns drove in the eventual winning run in the eighth, as Washington snapped its 12-game losing skid with a 4-3 victory over Philadelphia.

Tim Redding was solid in the start for Washington, which won for the first time since August 7th. Redding gave up one run on three hits with five strikeouts and one walk over six frames. Washington improved to 17-10 when Redding starts and just 28-73 when any other pitcher starts the game. Saul Rivera (4-5) won despite giving up the tying and go-ahead run at the time in the bottom of the seventh.

The Nationals won for just the second time in 67 tries when trailing after seven frames. Anderson Hernandez, Cristian Guzman and Ryan Zimmerman each notched a pair of hits in the win.

Jamie Moyer gave up three runs or less for the 14th straight start, but didn't factor into the decision. The southpaw gave up two runs -- one earned -- on five hits with four strikeouts and three walks over 6 2/3 frames. Ryan Madson (3-2) gave up a pair of runs in the eighth to suffer the loss.

Shane Victorino and Chase Utley collected two hits apiece in defeat. The Mets finished off a sweep of Atlanta Thursday night, moving 2 1/2 games up on the Phillies in the National League East race.

Washington scrapped out the game's first run in the sixth thanks to the table- setting Hernandez and an errant throw by Utley. Hernandez and Guzman each singled before Zimmerman struck out. Lastings Milledge then hit a chopper to Pedro Feliz at third, but Utley's relay throw for the double play was wild and Hernandez scored.

The Phillies immediately tied the game in the bottom of the frame, as Utley got retribution for his error. Jayson Werth doubled and the second baseman drove him home with a base hit to center.

The Nationals again went back in front during the seventh. Kearns walked and Willie Harris drilled a single to right, with Kearns reaching third and Harris advancing to second on Werth's throw to third. Hernandez hit a two-out roller up the middle, Jimmy Rollins cut it off but lost his grip on the transfer, allowing Kearns to cross the plate.

The back-and-forth action continued in the bottom of the inning. Victorino hit a one-out grounder to a charging Zimmerman, who rushed a wide throw because of the outfielder's speed. The throw went into foul territory, and Victorino raced around to third. Pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs made two-strike contact with an RBI groundout and Ruiz followed with the big solo home run.

Washington seized the edge off Madson in the eighth. Zimmerman hit a ball off the third base bag for a single and Milledge broke his bat with a looping single to center. Ronnie Belliard bunted both runners over and Jesus Flores' grounder back through the middle was blocked from going into center by Utley, but the play allowed Zimmerman to score the tying run. Kearns' subsequent base hit to center allowed Milledge to cross the plate.

Philadelphia threatened in the eighth only to be turned away with two of its big hitters in the box. Werth walked and Utley singled before Howard struck out and Burrell bounced into a 6-4-3 double play.

Victorino was stranded at third in the ninth as Chris Coste bounced out to end the game.

Game Notes

The Nationals had lost 11 straight one-run games...Utley made his 11th error of the season and Zimmerman made his sixth...Ruiz has three home runs on the campaign...Attendance 41,568.