WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Philadelphia Phillies couldn't get a call to go their way in a rare loss to the Washington Nationals.

Adam LaRoche #25 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with teammates as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies
Adam LaRoche #25 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with teammates as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images)
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Adam LaRoche homered twice and Scott Hairston hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly off Philadelphia ace Cole Hamels as the Phillies were beaten 3-2 on Sunday and failed to sweep the Nationals for a second straight series. It was just their fourth loss in 13 games overall.

The Phillies believed they could have scored a second run in the first inning, and that Hamels' balk that led to Hairston's sacrifice fly shouldn't have been called.

"I've been doing that move since I've gotten to the big leagues," Hamels said of the balk that moved Ian Desmond to third as Hairston batted.

Hairston flied out to deep left to score Desmond, sending Hamels (8-7) to a loss one start after he combined with three relievers for a no-hitter against Atlanta.

He allowed three runs and seven hits in 6 1-3 innings, but again was done in by Hairston, who is 18 for 48 with 10 RBIs against him.

"I guess I'll be happy the day he retires," Hamels said of Hairston, who left the game in the seventh inning.

Gio Gonzalez (8-9) allowed two runs - one earned - in six-plus innings for the Nationals, who had lost five straight against the Phillies. Washington maintained its seven game lead on Atlanta in the NL East.

Drew Storen pitched a perfect ninth inning for his second save, one day after Nationals manager Matt Williams removed Rafael Soriano from the closer role.

Marlon Byrd had two hits for Philadelphia.

The Phillies scored one in the first and thought they had another when Byrd singled before the Nationals committed two errors on the same play.

Grady Sizemore scored on Denard Span's errant throw to third. Byrd ran to second on Span's throw, but wasn't awarded home when Anthony Rendon threw the ball into the Nationals dugout while trying to nab Sizemore at the plate.

"The argument was that he was already past second base, and it's two bases," Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg said. "I asked if they could review that to check, which they opted to do, but they go on the headset and said that it was a non-reviewable play."

LaRoche's first home run tied it at 1 in the second, and snapped Hamels' stretch of nine innings without a hit allowed.

LaRoche homered in the fourth, tying it at 2 with a drive over the out-of-town scoreboard for his 23rd homer. He is 5 for 16 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in his last four games, and has six career homers against Hamels.

Darin Ruf's sacrifice fly put the Phillies ahead in the top of the fourth. Carlos Ruiz hit a leadoff double on a fly ball Span lost in the sun in center field. Byrd then singled before Ruf's fly ball to right.

STEPPING IT UP

Despite Sunday's loss, Phillies have won five straight series against teams with winning records after going 0-4-1 in their first five series against winning clubs since the All-Star break.

UNUSUAL ERRORS

The Nationals committed five errors during the three-game series. Washington had played error-free ball in 57 of 79 games.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Nationals: Gonzalez received a brief visit from a trainer after he sprinted to avoid a double play in the fifth inning, but was cleared to continue. He said he was bothered by a blister on his right foot.

UP NEXT

Phillies: RHP Kyle Kendrick (8-11, 4.77 ERA) starts against Pittsburgh LHP Jeff Locke (6-4, 3.75 ERA) in Monday's opener of a four-game series against the Pirates.

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