By JACK McCAFFERY

jmccaffery@delcotimes.com @JackMcCaffery

PHILADELPHIA --- There was not going to be a formal announcement, a ribbon-cutting, fireworks or spotlights. If it happened at all, the Phillies' recovery would be subtle, quiet, a reflection of a series of signs.

Like winning two of three in Pittsburgh.

Like winning two of three from Atlanta.

Like beginning a four-game series against the Washington Nationals Monday with splendid starting pitching, zesty top-of-the-order baseball and a 3-2 victory.

On a night when they learned that Ryan Howard would be lost to them for up to two months, the Phillies continued to hint at one thing: When their former MVP returns, it may yet be to a playoff-minded team.

Such, at least, has been the message as they have won four of their last five.

“People talk and they say 'This is the biggest series,' and things like that,” Charlie Manuel said before the game. “I say, 'Our philosophy is to play the same every day.' Our No. 1 priority is the game, to win the game. I don't know how big a series is. Every one of them is big. Every game we play should be looked upon as big. Yeah, Washington is in our division and things like that. We have a four-game series with them and I look at it as that would be great for us to win. I am not thinking about tomorrow. And I'm not worried about it.

“I am thinking about tonight and hoping we get a good chance to win the game. That's what I am thinking about.”

The Phillies remain two games below .500, a mark that they have found to be a force field, continually pushing them the other way. But they are enjoying consistent production from leadoff hitter Ben Revere, who supplied three hits, scored twice and tormented the Nationals Monday with his speed.

That was plenty for former Nat John Lannan, who methodically, calmly coaxed ground balls. His eight scoreless innings were good enough for a crowd of 33,061 to stand and cheer. And the Phils' recent winning habits may enough for the general manager to consider sitting a little more still at the trade deadline.

“We look at our team,” Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “Our team has been the best team in the second half other than any team in baseball, other than St. Louis. I’m not exactly sure what the record is, but we’re always very good, so I have to take that into account.

“I also have to take into account what has been happening. We have a progression right now. We’re starting to swing the bats more consistently and getting a lot more production out of guys. Ben Revere and Delmon Young are starting to produce and do some things for us, and that is always a good sign. Everybody wants everybody to produce right away, but you have to have some level of patience and we’ll try to be prudent when we make decisions here at the end of July.”

The top of the lineup worked to plan and the Phillies took a 2-0 lead in the first. Revere and Jimmy Rollins both slapped singles to right, then took the double-steal route to second and third. After Chase Utley struck out, Domonic Brown ricocheted an infield hit off Dan Haren, who would fall to 4-10, scoring Revere.

Michael Young walked, loading the bases, and after Delmon Young whiffed, Rollins scored when Darin Ruf walked. Carlos Ruiz left the bases loaded with a soft fly to right.

Revere and Rollins tormented the Nats again in the sixth, Revere whistling a double into the left-field corner, then sprinting home on a Rollins single.

Lannan allowed four hits in eight innings, walking two and striking out four. He needed 109 pitches, 71 for strikes, to collect a dozen ground-ball outs and improve to 2-3.

Jonathan Papelbon struggled in the ninth, allowing a single to Bryce Harper, a double to Ryan Zimmerman and a sacrifice fly RBI to deepest center by Jayson Werth. That sent Zimmerman to third, from where he would score on an Adam LaRoche sacrifice fly to center.

But Papelbon forced Chad Tracy to sky to shallow center for his 19^th save.

Signs? Signs.

“One game at a time,” Brown said. “We have to look at it that way. If you don't, you put all the pressure on yourself. We have to look at it one day at a time, make sure we know who's pitching, and take it from there.”