Aug. 16 -- RIGHT ON

WASHINGTON -- Jayson Werth homered last night against Nats right-hander Tim Redding, but the Phillies didn't muster much more in the way of offense in a 4-2 loss. They've scored five runs in the last two games and are batting .194 in the last six.

After the game, I talked for a while with Werth, who is replacing Shane Victorino in right field. It goes without saying that not having Chase Utley and Victorino in the lineup has left the Phillies short. But, as Werth admitted, their absence is more striking when the Phillies face right-handed pitching. When switch-hitters Jimmy Rollins and Victorino and left-handed Utley and Ryan Howard are in the lineup, the Phillies' first four hitters are all lefties. Without them, right-handers Tadahito Iguchi and Pat Burrell bat between Rollins and Howard, making it easier on right-handed pitchers. And Werth, another right-handed hitter, bats lower in the lineup.

"Obviously, from a managerial standpoint, and Charlie likes to manage righties and lefties, to have two guys missing like Chase and Shane is tough," Werth said. "But we haven’t been playing that bad. We just haven’t swung the bats well as a team the last two games."

Oh, the Nats will start right-hander Joel Hanrahan tonight. I'll bet he's relieved that he won't have to contend with Victorino and Utley.

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The notebook offers more on Adam Eaton's injury. A few of you have e-mailed me wondering if Eaton really has shoulder inflammation or if this is a convenient way to get him out of the rotation.

My take: Yes, Eaton has been dealing with shoulder stiffness for several weeks. A few weeks ago in Milwaukee, he said he felt fine physically. But a few starts before that, at home against the Nationals, he was evasive when I asked if he was feeling OK. I think his actual words were, "Well, it is almost the dog days of August." Clearly, though, something was bothering him. But, if he was pitching better, it would be Eaton, not J.D. Durbin, on the mound tomorrow night in Pittsburgh. A few weeks off may help heal Eaton's shoulder, but it may do more for his confidence and mental outlook. We'll have more on Durbin -- and a few other surprises -- in tomorrow's 50-center.

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A few minutes before last night's deadline, the Phillies agreed to terms with 37th-round pick Kyle Slate, a right-hander from Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, N.J. The Phillies signed 31 of 51 picks. The most notable pick who didn't sign was third-round Brandon Workman, a right-hander who will instead attend the University of Texas.

Sorry to cut this short, but I've got to run down to the clubhouse. Check back here later, though. Hopefully, we'll have an update on Victorino's visit with Dr. Michael Ciccotti.