Werth’s walk wins it for Phillies, 8-7

PHILADELPHIA -- With their pitching and defense struggling, the Philadelphia Phillies relied on Jimmy Rollins’ daring dash to steal a game.

Jesus Colome walked Jayson Werth to force in Rollins with the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning, giving the Phillies an 8-7 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday.

The defending East Division champions overcame a 5-0, first-inning deficit to avoid opening the season with a three-game sweep at home for the third year in a row.

Rollins reached on an infield single to start the bottom of the 10th against Colome. The reigning NL most valuable player never hesitated rounding second base and advanced all the way to third on Shane Victorino’s perfect sacrifice.

After Chase Utley and Ryan Howard were intentionally walked to load the bases, Werth walked on four pitches to end it.

Rollins’ smart baserunning forced the Nationals into a tough jam.

“That’s just heads-up baseball,” Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel said. “You have to be heads-up to make a play like that and have confidence in your speed.”

The Phillies got their first win while sporting a new alternate home uniform, a throwback model from the 1940s minus the customary red pinstripes the team has worn since 1950.

They wore cream-colored pants and jerseys with Phillies scripted in red across the chest. They will wear them for day games at home.