Phillies dominate the Nationals 8-2 in Harper’s return

Washington, D.C.- With a late 7:45pm start, the theatrics began before a baseball was even thrown. When the Philadelphia lineup was announced, Bryce Harper received thunderous boos from the crowd, and it only intensified during his at-bats.

With rain drops still falling, Scherzer made his way to the field, stalking and ready to get the game underway. The atmosphere was undeniable, with a crowd awaiting the third at-bat. Leading off, Andrew McCutchen got the first hit of the game and was followed by Jean Segura reaching base. Harper’s number was called over the PA, and the crowd once more booed him, filling the stadium with unified discontent. In this much awaited matchup, Scherzer took the point and struck Harper out.

In more serious news, Trea Turner exited the game with an apparent finger/hand injury in the first inning. While trying to bunt, the ball hit him as he attempted to draw his bat back, and he immediately went down in pain. Bench player, Wilmer Difo, was forced to take over at the shortstop position.

In the second round of the heavyweight fight, Scherzer once more remained victorious, striking out Harper on a 3-2 count. In the top of the fourth inning, the Phillies scored another run (unearned) by way of a passed ball with the bases loaded, making the score 2-0.

Phillies starting pitcher, Zach Eflin, took a no-hitter into the fourth inning, but was stopped by an Anthony Rendon base hit. Ryan Zimmerman, who had the day off, entered the game after the Rendon hit, indicating that Matt Adams was a bit shaken up. In an earlier inning, he flew over the first base side railing while attempting to catch a foul ball. It was later reported that he was removed with back spasms; as you can tell, this game was very active.

Scherzer had a high pitch count entering the fifth, but did not disappoint in delivering his ace material. We had quite the pitching matchup with he and Eflin. In their third matchup, Harper got the upper-hand, and put a double next to his name in the box score. With 96 pitches, he struck out Rhys Hoskins for his last batter; it was time for the Nats to get on the board.

They tried, but to no avail as the “Phils” did more damage. With the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, the Phillies added four runs in what seemed to be the nail in the Nats coffin.

But as the fight goes, the Nats finally got on the board by way of a Rendon home run to make the score 6-2. In the end, the Phillies did more damage (a Harper home run with an insane bat flip included) to make the end score 8-2. It was not a good night for the hometown. They will have to bounce back and get their bats hot!

The Nationals are now 1-3 on the season and will play the final game of a short series tomorrow at 1:05pm EST.