(Sports Network) - If the Philadelphia Phillies are going to complete a three- game sweep of the Washington Nationals on Sunday, they may need lefty Cliff Lee to win his first home start of the season.
Lee has endured a nightmare campaign for the Phillies, going just 2-7 with a 3.78 ERA. Lee hasn't won since beating the Nationals back on July 31 and amazingly is 0-5 in 10 home starts, while pitching to a 4.42 in front of his fans.
The Phillies are just 7-15 with him on the mound this season.
"I really don't care about my numbers, to be honest with you. I just care about winning," Lee said. "It's just been one of those years. Usually there's a guy on each team that things don't really go his way, and that happens to be me this year. I'm not going to make excuses or feel sorry for myself."
Lee is 4-2 lifetime against the Nationals with a 2.44 ERA. He also hasn't allowed a run in half of his six starts against them.
Philadelphia won its third straight game on Saturday, as John Mayberry homered and knocked in three runs to power the Phillies to a 4-2 victory. Chase Utley added an RBI and a run scored for the Phillies, who have won six of eight.
"We've got a little step in our get-a-long," Phils manager Charlie Manuel said.
Roy Halladay (8-7) allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out six over a seven-inning start. Jonathan Papelbon tossed a perfect ninth to record his 29th save of the season.
Gio Gonzalez (16-7) surrendered three runs on five hits and two walks through six innings to take the loss for Washington, which has dropped its last three games.
"Gio just had trouble getting the ball over early," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. "He was dominant after the first inning."
Hoping to avoid the Nats' first four-game slide since June 15-19 will be impressive right-hander Jordan Zimmerman, who is 9-7 with a 2.54 ERA. Zimmerman did not get a decision on Monday against Atlanta, as he allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings of a 5-4 win.
Zimmerman beat the Phils the last time he faced them, but is just 1-3 in five starts against them with a 5.00 ERA.
The Phillies have won six of 11 from the Nationals this season.
