Nationals 7, Phillies 3
Michael Morse homered twice and drove in four while Gio Gonzalez recorded a quality start to secure his major league-best 21st victory as visiting Washington inched closer to winning the National League East title.
Rookie Bryce Harper homered for the second straight contest and added a two-out RBI single to snap a tie in the fifth inning. The Nationals reduced their magic number to three for winning the division and remained four games ahead of Atlanta, which posted a 6-2 triumph over Miami on Thursday.
Rookie Darin Ruf ripped a three-run double in the first inning for the Phillies, who fell six games behind idle St. Louis with six to play in the race for the second wild card.
After leading off the second inning with his 15th homer, Morse victimized rookie Tyler Cloyd (2-2) again with a two-run shot in the sixth into the Nationals' bullpen. The mammoth blast, which traveled an estimated 451 feet, gave Washington a 6-3 advantage.
Gonzalez (21-8) allowed three runs and struck out six to secure the victory.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Harper has 21 homers to sit three shy of tying Tony Conigliaro, who belted 24 as a 19-year-old in 1964. Harper also collected six RBIs in the series. ... Morse became the fifth Nationals player to hit at least 15 homers this season, the most in franchise history. ... Washington will visit St. Louis on Friday to begin a three-game set versus the Cardinals.