The Nats cut it a bit to close for comfort on Thursday night, but still found themselves celebrating at game’s end. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Nationals 8, Phillies 7: Everyone knows those moments in life where you find yourself saying “whew, that was close” out loud, directed no one in particular. Well, if they could speak collectively, the Nationals would have certainly had one of those moments on Thursday evening: despite a pair of relievers allowing five runs in the top of the ninth, the Nats still managed to salvage a win in the finale of their last home series of the year against Philadelphia. Until the ninth, though, things looked great for the Nats. Starter Livan Hernandez navigated through a rocky first inning, and didn’t allow the potent Phils lineup to cross the plate between the second and the eighth innings. And thanks in part to the impressive debut of shortstop Ian Desmond (2-4, double, home run, 4 RBI), the home team found themselves with a comfortable six-run lead after chasing the normally reliable Joe Blanton from the game during a five-run fifth. Somehow, though, that big lead was reduced to one after Zack Segovia and closer Mike MacDougal just couldn’t get any Phillies out; the big blow obviously being Matt Stairs’ pinch-hit grand slam, which sent the stadium — chock full of red Phillies hats — into a state of nervous excitement. But Nats setup man Ron Villone literally saved the day; truly earning his first save of the season by coaxing big slugger Ryan Howard into a game-ending double play with the tying run on third and one out. Whew, that was close, indeed.