(My Sportsbook) - After having last night's game rained out, the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals are slated to close out a shortened two-game series Thursday evening at Nationals Park.

The Phillies were penciled in to visit the White House and President Obama on their day off on Tuesday, but instead mourned the sudden death of longtime broadcaster Harry Kalas. Kalas collapsed in the booth at Nationals Park before Monday afternoon's series opener and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The 73-year-old joined the Phillies in 1971 and was both a fan and player favorite during his tenure.

Philadelphia then went on to post a 9-8 victory and keep the Nationals winless on the season at 0-7. The Phils and Nats were locked at 4-4 in Monday's series opener, which was also serving was Washington's home opener, before Philly's Ryan Howard connected on a three-run homer, his first of the year after leading the majors with 48 a season ago.

Raul Ibanez also homered in the inning and Shane Victorino earlier connected on a long ball for the Phillies, who have won three in a row and will close out a rain-shortened six-game road trip Thursday. Jamie Moyer was credited with the win after allowing four runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Closer Brad Lidge posted his third save despite allowing Ryan Zimmerman's two-run homer in the ninth inning .

Philly will open a seven-game homestand versus San Diego and Milwaukee after tonight's contest.

Cristian Guzman had five hits, two RBI and a pair of runs scored for the Nationals, while Adam Dunn clubbed a two-run blast and Elijah Dukes added a solo shot in defeat. Guzman left in the ninth inning due to a strained left hamstring and is doubtful for tonight. Also, center fielder Lastings Milledge was optioned to the minors on Tuesday after getting off to a slow start. Dukes is expected to take over center full-time in Milledge's absence.

Saul Rivera was saddled with the loss, allowing four runs in an inning of relief behind Daniel Cabrera, who yielded four runs -- just one earned -- on six hits in a five-inning start in Washington's home opener.

Washington, which led the majors with 102 losses in 2008, matched the ballclub's worst start to a season established by the Montreal Expos in 1998.

A pair of right-handers square off on the mound this evening, as Shairon Martis goes for the Nats opposite the Phillies' Joe Blanton.

Martis, 22, made his first start of 2009 Friday versus Atlanta and was touched for three runs and five hits over three innings. His start ended early due to a rain delay and he did not get a decision in his team's loss.

The right-hander has never started versus the Phils, but did face them once in relief, allowing a run and two hits over 2 1/3 frames.

The 28-year-old Blanton will try to recover from his poor season debut last Wednesday versus Atlanta. He allowed seven runs on nine hits with six strikeouts over just four innings, helping put his team in an early 10-3 hole, but was taken off the hook when the Phils rallied for a 12-11 win.

Blanton, a right-hander, went 4-0 with a 4.20 earned run average in 13 starts with the Phils after being acquired from Oakland last July, and is 1-1 with a 5.57 ERA in four career starts versus Washington.

Philadelphia has won 25 of the last 37 meetings in the series, including a 13-6 mark as the visitor in that span.