Harper, Scherzer lead Nationals past Phillies
WASHINGTON -- Bryce Harper hit a hanging curve for a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the eighth and Max Scherzer and three relievers combined on a shutout as the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 Saturday.
Ben Revere singled with one out in the eighth off Luis Garcia (1-1) and took second on a wild pitch by lefty Patrick Shuster, who had come on to face Daniel Murphy. After a walk to Murphy put runners on first and second, Harper hit a 78-mph 3-1 pitch from Shuster into the Washington bullpen down the right-field line.
Harper flipped his bat behind him, clinched his fists and looked into the first-base Nationals dugout as he began the trip around the bases for his 24th homer. It was his first homer since August 28 and came after he struck out in his first three at-bats Saturday.
Washington (84-58) began the night eight games ahead of the New York Mets in the National League East. The Phillies (63-79) have lost 11 of their last 12 games to Washington.
The Nationals' Shawn Kelley (2-2) retired Tommy Joseph with a runner on second for the final out of the eighth. Washington closer Mark Melancon pitched the ninth for his 40th save of the season, and 10th with the Nationals.
Scherzer, who lowered his ERA to 2.78, threw 117 pitches against the Phillies. He allowed four hits and no runs with eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
The veteran right-hander was relieved with a runner on first and two outs in the seventh by lefty Marc Rzepczynski. The veteran reliever retired pinch-hitter Maikel Franco -- making his first appearance since Tuesday - on a fly to right to end the inning.
The Phillies starter was Jerad Eickhoff, who had won four of his previous five decisions. He went six innings and allowed no runs on five hits before he was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh.
Cesar Hernandez had two hits for the Phillies and backup catcher Jose Lobaton and Revere had two for Washington.
The Nationals had a chance to take the lead in the fourth inning, but the game remained scoreless.
Clint Robinson singled with one out and took second on a walk to Danny Espinosa. Lobaton followed with a single to center and Robinson was thrown out at the plate on a bang-bang play. The Nationals challenged the call but it stood, and Scherzer then struck out for the third out of the frame.
Scherzer, who had won his four previous starts, allowed no runs on three hits in the first five innings.
Eickoff entered the game with a 5.90 ERA and was 0-2 in his previous three starts against Washington. He gave up no runs on five hits in the first five innings, and benefited from the close call at the plate and some long outs by Nationals hitters.
Scherzer hit a long fly ball with two runners on base in the second that left fielder Aaron Altherr caught on the warning track in front of the Phillies bullpen for the final out of the frame.
NOTES: Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 3.60 ERA), who left his start after 42 pitches Wednesday, told reporters Saturday he does not know if he will be able to return this season. "It was about as good of news as you can get," Strasburg said when he learned he had a flexor mass strain. "So I'm just trying to take it one day at a time now and do everything I can to get out there, not only as fast as possible but feeling right at the same time." He signed a seven-year contract extension in May; he had Tommy John surgery in 2010.