Nationals game blog: Bryce Harper looks to continue power trip

By Josh Land

Nationals

September 15, 2015, 2:01pm

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PHILADELPHIA - Bryce Harper blasted his 37th homer of the season last night with a solo shot off Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola. The third-inning blast gave the young slugger the first longball of his career off a pitcher younger than him. Harper is 6 1/2 months older than the 22-year-old Nola.

Harper's 91 straight home runs to open his career off a pitcher older than him is the third-longest streak in the expansion era behind Mike Trout (116) and Bob Horner (95).

Harper has reached base safely in 23 of his last 25 games, batting .366 (30-for-82) with seven home runs, nine doubles, 13 RBIs, 23 walks and 23 runs scored over the stretch.

Anthony Rendon collected his second four-hit game of the season in last night's 8-7 win. The 2014 Silver Slugger Award winner is slashing .345/.419/.509 with two home runs, three doubles and seven RBIs in 13 games this month.

After posting a 3-5 record with a 6.55 ERA in his first 10 starts of the season, right-hander Stephen Strasburg has rebounded to go 5-2 with a 2.38 ERA, while the Nationals of won seven of his last nine starts.

The Phillies send second-year right-hander David Buchanan to the mound. The 26-year-old has struggled in his sophomore campaign, going 2-8 with a disastrous 9.11 ERA in 11 starts this year.

The Nationals are 32-41 on the road this season.