Monday night was supposed to be the night things either continued to be crummy for the Phillies Opening Day starter, or be the night Brett Myers began to turn things around.

But then neither happened.

On the plus side, Myers pitched beyond 5 innings (something he's struggled to do this year) and allowed just four runs (he had allowed six in two of his three previous starts).

On the negative side, he gave up eight hits and walked three - including a walk to the opposing pitcher.

After the game, Myers was asked if Monday was a small start forward in what's been a dismal season for him thus far.

"Hopefully," Myers said. "I definitely felt like I was concentrating more pitch to pitch instead of from batter to batter... I didn't try to think too far ahead tonight."

Myers next start comes Saturday night in Houston. The feeling here is that the 27-year-old could be beginning to turn a corner.

While many Phils fans may have really wanted to see a giant leap against the Nats, Myers instead took a few small steps in at least keeping the Phillies in the game and, thus, giving them a chance to win.

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The Archive Files

For the second time this season, Tim Redding blanked the Phils; Charlie Manuel's crew has lost a season-high three games in a row.

In the notebook, Cole Hamels has found a new weapon this year - his bat.