So now, the NL East race comes down to this: The Phillies and Mets are tied with one game left.

Matt Chico pitched six solid innings today and the Washington Nationals got in the Phillies' way, winning 4-2 to leave the division all even.

New York beat Florida 13-0 at Shea Stadium to put pressure on the Phillies, who moved into sole possession of first place for the first time last night.

If Philadelphia and the Mets are still tied after tomorrow, there will be a one-game playoff Monday at Citizens Bank Park to determine the East winner.

Both clubs would be eliminated from wild-card contention if San Diego wins one of its final two games against Milwaukee.

With another sellout crowd waving their rally towels and turning the ballpark into a sea of red, the Phillies had a chance to control their playoff destiny.

But Ryan Howard's 46th homer wasn't enough offense, and the defense was shaky.

Now, it's up to 44-year-old Jamie Moyer, who faces Jason Bergmann and the spoiler-minded Nationals tomorrow afternoon.

For a while, Chico (7-9) pitched more like Tom Glavine in his prime than a rookie with a 4.63 ERA against the league's highest-scoring offense. The left-hander departed after Aaron Rowand homered leading off the seventh to cut it to 4-1. Chico allowed one run and four hits.

Glavine, the 300-game winner, will start the Mets' finale against Dontrelle Willis and the Marlins.

Three Washington relievers prevented the Phillies from their 49th comeback victory. Saul Rivera got one out in the seventh before pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs walked and Carlos Ruiz singled.

Jon Rauch came in and retired pinch-hitter Shane Victorino on a popup and Jimmy Rollins on a grounder to end the threat. Not even the Phillie Phanatic doing his usual dance on the dugout and trying to put a hex on the pitcher could get the rally going.

Howard homered off Rauch with two outs in the eighth to cut it to 4-2. Chad Cordero pitched a scoreless ninth for his 37th save in 46 chances.

It seems fitting a team that started 4-11, endured numerous key injuries and was counted out several times will make its long-suffering fans sweat out a long-awaited playoff berth. The Phils haven't made it since 1993.

In 2005, the Phillies were eliminated on the final day. Last year, they were knocked out on the next-to-last day of the season.