Phillies hammered again by the Nationals

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)

The Washington Nationals win at the Philadelphia Phillies 8-1, just one day after beating them 9-1at Citizens Bank Park. SP Max Scherzer and RF Bryce Harper were on fire, giving the Nats a seven-game winning streak and a five-game lead in the NL East.

Washington got off to a three-run lead in the top of the first inning. In the fourth inning Max Scherzer, an advocate of the DH in the NL, showed that he can be as effective at the plate as he is on the mound. He doubled to the right and batted C Wilson Ramos and SS Danny Espinosa in for a 5-0 lead.

Philadelphia’s SP Aaron Nola gave up two more runs on a Bryce Harper home run in the fifth inning, which would also be his last inning in this game. Nola struck out 6 batters but also walked 3. He is 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA on the season.

C Cameron Rupp scored Philadelphia’s only run of the game with a 384 ft. homer off Max Scherzer.

Washington’s ace pitched seven innings and threw 108 pitches. Scherzer allowed 5 hits while striking out 7 and walking 1. After three starts he is 2-0 with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP.

Bryce Harper went 2-for-3 with 1 home run, 3 RBI and 1 run. He is batting .343 this season and now has 9 runs, 5 home runs and 14 RBI. He has hit a long ball in each of his last three games.

SP Gio Gonzalez (WSH) and Charlie Morton (PHI) will be on the mound for game three of the series tomorrow.