Phillies Remain Undefeated, Rout Nationals in Harper’s Return

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

For the first time since 2009 — and only the third time of his now 12-year career — the Washington Nationals' perennial All-Star and Cy Young Award candidate RHP Max Scherzer has fallen to 0-2.

A combination of Philadelphia Phillies' bats and quality pitching from starter RHP Zach Eflin helped the club to their third-ever 4-0 start to the season — their first since their first-ever National League pennant and World Series appearance season in 1915. The Phillies topped the Nationals, 8-2, in the first of a brief, two-game set Tuesday evening at Nationals Park.

Scherzer was limited to just five innings while tossing 96 pitches, 65 for strikes, in the defeat. He allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and one walk, while striking out nine batters — including twice of right fielder Bryce Harper, who returned to a slew of boos from Nationals fans in his first appearance back in Washington, D.C. as an opposing player. Phillies' eight-hole hitter Maikel Franco got to Scherzer by launching a solo shot to left field in the second for his club-leading third home run and eighth RBI of the season. Two innings later, catcher Yan Gomes' passed ball with the bases loaded allowed Odubel Herrera to score from third.

The Phillies blew the game open in the sixth against Nationals relievers with two clutch, two-out base hits — a bases-clearing double by Jean Segura and an opposite-field single by Harper, respectively raising their season RBI totals to three each. In the eighth, Harper tacked on two more RBI with a second-deck, two-run blast, his 93rd career home run at Nationals Park.

Eflin matched his career high mark for strikeouts, nine, tossing five scoreless frames while allowing just three hits and one walk on 85 pitches. With the win, he improved to 2-0 through three career starts at Nationals Park, while Scherzer lost just his third career game against the Phillies over 18 starts, and his second overall in as many starts so far during the 2019 season. Scherzer's first 2019 loss came on Opening Day — March 28, home against the New York Mets. In 7 2/3 innings, he allowed two runs on as many hits and three walks, while punching out 12 of his 28 batters faced.

The potent Phillies' offense continues in 2019: 33 innings, 31 runs, 35 hits, 24 walks, 10 home runs. Right-hander Aaron Nola will take the mound in Wednesday's matinee series finale, as the Phillies look for back-to-back sweeps to start the 2019 season.

Return of 'CBP South'

One of the more memorable aspects during the Phillies' last window of success was their fans "taking over" Nationals Park. That was executed to never before-seen perfection on Tuesday, with hundreds of Phillies fans in right field to cheer on Harper and drown out the "boos" from opposing fans.

Phillies fans chanted "We got Harper" and "M-V-P" after his RBI single in the sixth, giving the club a commanding 6-0 lead.

Strong Performance from Bullpen

Jose Alvarez entered in the sixth to relieve Eflin. After allowing a single to shortstop Wilmer Difo and striking out left fielder Juan Soto, the southpaw surrendered a 377-foot, two-run blast to third baseman Anthony Rendon. Right-hander Juan Nicasio then entered, and despite allowing a single to first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, he followed by inducing Gomes to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Right-hander Edubray Ramos, southpaw Adam Morgan, and right-hander Vince Velasquez tossed scoreless seventh, eighth and ninth innings, respectively.

Hot Start for No. 8 Hitter Maikel Franco

The Phillies' third baseman not only leads the team in home runs and RBI, but he also leads the entire MLB in intentional walks, 5. Franco was intentionally walked three times in the series opener, becoming the first Phillies player to do so in a game since Ryan Howard in April 2007, notes MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

2019 Stats: 17 PA, 11 AB, 4 R, 6 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 6 BB (5 IBB), 2 SO, .545/.706/1.364

Harper's Grand Bat Flip

Harper's home run, against former Phillies pitcher Jeremy Hellickson nonetheless, improved his slugging percentage since the 2018 All-Star Break against relievers to a MLB third-best .700 — 63 total bases in 90 at-bats, according to Inside Edge. Only Christian Yelich (.814) and Tyler White (.716) have bested the Phillies' slugger. He celebrated his third home run with the Phillies with a grand bat flip.

Injured Nats

Not only did the Nationals fall to 1-3 on the season on Tuesday, they lost shortstop Trea Turner for a decent amount of time due to a broken right index finger. He suffered the injury when attempting to bunt in the bottom of the first.

First baseman Matt Adams was removed from the game due to back spasms and will likely be sidelined day to day. He tumbled over the railing down the first base line while chasing a foul ball and was replaced by Zimmerman.